Rehabilitation support system, rehabilitation support method, and rehabilitation support program

ABSTRACT

A rehabilitation support system in which, when a trainee performs rehabilitation using a rehabilitation support apparatus, a training assistant who assists the trainee can give rehabilitation support while taking a motivation of the trainee into consideration is provided. A rehabilitation support system including a rehabilitation support apparatus includes an acquisition unit, an output unit, and a feedback unit. The acquisition unit acquires motivation information indicating a motivation for rehabilitation performed by a trainee using the rehabilitation support apparatus, the motivation information including at least line-of-sight information of the trainee. The output unit outputs a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee based on the motivation information acquired by the acquisition unit. The feedback unit feeds back the degree output from the output unit to the rehabilitation support apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2019-120407, filed on Jun. 27, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a rehabilitation support system, a rehabilitation support method, and a rehabilitation support program.

Trainees such as patients may use a rehabilitation support system such as a walking training apparatus when they perform rehabilitation. As an example of the walking training apparatus, Japanese Patent No. 6052234 discloses a walking training apparatus including a walking assistance apparatus that is attached to a leg of a trainee and assists the trainee in walking.

In some rehabilitation support systems, when a trainee performs rehabilitation, a training staff member such as a doctor or a physical therapist may attend the rehabilitation as an assistant for the trainee, give encouraging talks to the trainee, give a helping hand to the trainee, and/or perform a setting operation for the rehabilitation support system.

SUMMARY

Incidentally, in order to obtain good training results, the setting operation of the rehabilitation support system performed by the training staff member needs to be performed so that the rehabilitation support system can appropriately assist the trainee. Further, the timing of the setting operation, i.e., the timing at which assistance is added or ceased, or at which the degree of assistance is changed also affects the training results. Therefore, in order to perform such a setting operation, the training staff member needs to make a choice as to what kind of assistance should be given to the trainee, and determine an appropriate degree of the assistance and its timing. Further, the training staff member needs to determine what kind of encouraging talks he/she should give to the trainee and when he/she should give such talks to the trainee, and determine the timing at which he/she should give a helping hand to the trainee.

It is important that the training staff member should understand a motivation of the trainee in order to make such determinations. This is because keeping the motivation of the trainee (i.e., motivating the trainee to perform training) is important in order to perform rehabilitation based on the motor skill learning theory. For example, the level of difficulty of training that a trainee can accept often changes according to his/her motivation at the time of the training. Therefore, when the trainee performs training regardless of his/her motivation, the result of the training often changes according to the motivation.

However, in the case of the walking training apparatus, since the training staff member often stands behind the trainee, the training staff member cannot directly observe the facial expression of the trainee and hence cannot infer his/her motivation. Further, even in a rehabilitation support system other than the walking training apparatus, the training staff member may not be able to infer the motivation of the trainee. Therefore, the training staff member may not be able to give rehabilitation support while taking the motivation of the trainee into consideration in the rehabilitation support system. Further, the assistance to the trainee is not limited to those given by the training staff member. That is, it is conceivable that the assistance may be given by other kinds of training assistants such as artificial assistants. Even in such cases, a similar problem may arise.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-described problem and provides a rehabilitation support system and the like in which, when a trainee performs rehabilitation using a rehabilitation support apparatus, a training assistant who assists the trainee can give rehabilitation support while taking a motivation of the trainee into consideration.

A first exemplary aspect is a rehabilitation support system including a rehabilitation support apparatus, the rehabilitation support system further includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire motivation information indicating a motivation for rehabilitation performed by a trainee using the rehabilitation support apparatus, the motivation information including at least information about a line of sight of the trainee; an output unit configured to output a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee based on the motivation information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a feedback unit configured to feed back the degree output from the output unit to the rehabilitation support apparatus. In this way, when the trainee performs rehabilitation using the rehabilitation support apparatus, the training assistant, who assists the trainee, can give rehabilitation support while taking the motivation of the trainee into consideration.

The feedback unit may include a first notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of the degree. In this way, it is possible to inform the training assistant of the degree of motivation itself.

The feedback unit may include a second notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of information urging the training assistant to change a setting parameter in the rehabilitation support apparatus. In this way, it is possible to urge the training assistant to change the setting according to the degree of motivation.

The feedback unit may include a third notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of information urging the training assistant to change a setting parameter in the rehabilitation support apparatus when the degree changes beyond a predetermined range. In this way, it is possible to urge the training assistant to change the setting when the degree of motivation considerably changes.

The feedback unit may include a fourth notification unit configured to provide, to the training assistant assisting the trainee, a notification for urging him/her to have a type of conversation according to the degree. In this way, it is possible to urge the training assistant to have a conversation according to the degree of motivation.

The feedback unit may include an accumulation unit configured to accumulate data indicating a time-series change of the degree in a log, and a fifth notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of the log. In this way, it is possible to provide a notification to the training assistant according to the change in the degree of motivation.

The feedback unit may include a sixth notification unit configured to notify the trainee of the degree or information corresponding to the degree. In this way, it is possible to directly notify the trainee of the degree of motivation or the like.

In the rehabilitation support system, games capable of presenting a state of the training of the trainee to the trainee may be incorporated in an executable state, and the feedback unit may enable the trainee to perform a game that differs according to the degree. In this way, it is possible not only to introduce a game-playing feeling into the rehabilitation training, but also to enhance the motivation.

Alternatively, in the rehabilitation support system, a game capable of presenting a state of the training of the trainee to the trainee may be incorporated in an executable state, and the feedback unit may change a displaying form in the game according to the degree. In this way, it is possible not only to introduce a game-playing feeling into the rehabilitation training, but also to enhance the motivation.

The output unit may reduce a weight of information that is acquired by the acquisition unit in a predetermined period after a setting parameter in the rehabilitation support apparatus is changed, the weight being used when the degree is determined. In this way, it is possible to cope with the motivation that is presumed to be changed due to the setting change.

The acquisition unit may separately acquire, as the motivation information, information in a period during which the trainee is performing the rehabilitation and information in a period other than the period during which the trainee is performing the rehabilitation. In this way, it is possible to cope with the motivation that is presumed to be changed depending on the period.

The acquisition unit may acquire a facial expression of the trainee during the rehabilitation as one item included in the motivation information. In this way, the motivation information can be obtained from the facial expression.

The acquisition unit may acquire a conversation of the trainee with the training assistant assisting the trainee as one item included in the motivation information. In this way, the motivation information can be obtained from the conversation.

The rehabilitation support system may include a server apparatus connected to the rehabilitation support apparatus through a network, and the server apparatus may include the output unit. In this way, it is possible to operate a plurality of rehabilitation support apparatuses by using a common output unit.

A second exemplary aspect is a method for supporting rehabilitation (a method for operating a rehabilitation support apparatus) including: an acquisition step of acquiring motivation information indicating a motivation for rehabilitation performed by a trainee using a rehabilitation support apparatus, the motivation information including at least information about a line of sight of the trainee; an outputting step of outputting a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee based on the motivation information acquired in the acquisition step; and a feeding-back step of feeding back the degree output in the outputting step to the rehabilitation support apparatus. In this way, when the trainee performs rehabilitation using the rehabilitation support apparatus, the training assistant, who assists the trainee, can give rehabilitation support while taking the motivation of the trainee into consideration.

A third exemplary aspect is a rehabilitation support program for causing a computer of a rehabilitation support apparatus to perform: an acquisition step of acquiring motivation information indicating a motivation for rehabilitation performed by a trainee using a rehabilitation support apparatus, the motivation information including at least information about a line of sight of the trainee; an outputting step of outputting a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee based on the motivation information acquired in the acquisition step; and a feeding-back step of feeding back the degree output in the outputting step to the rehabilitation support apparatus. In this way, when the trainee performs rehabilitation using the rehabilitation support apparatus, the training assistant, who assists the trainee, can give rehabilitation support while taking the motivation of the trainee into consideration.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a rehabilitation support system in which, when a trainee performs rehabilitation using a rehabilitation support apparatus, a training assistant who assists the trainee can give rehabilitation support while taking a motivation of the trainee into consideration. Further, the present disclosure also provides a method for supporting rehabilitation and a rehabilitation support program capable of giving such rehabilitation support.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general concept diagram showing an example of a configuration of a rehabilitation support system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a walking assistance apparatus in the rehabilitation support system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a walking training apparatus in the rehabilitation support system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server in the rehabilitation support system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a table for explaining a data set for learning (hereinafter also referred to as learning data set) used in a learning process performed by the server shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a rehabilitation support process performed in the rehabilitation support system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows an example of an image presented to a training staff member in the rehabilitation support process shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows another example of an image presented to a training staff member in the rehabilitation support process shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows another example of an image presented to a training staff member in the rehabilitation support process shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 shows an example of an image presented to a trainee in the rehabilitation support process shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server in a rehabilitation support system according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 12 shows an example of an image presented to a trainee in a rehabilitation support process according to the fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be explained through embodiments of the present disclosure. However, they are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure according to the claims. Further, all of the components/structures described in the embodiments are not necessarily indispensable as means for solving the problem.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

(System Configuration)

FIG. 1 is a general concept diagram showing an example of a configuration of a rehabilitation support system according to a first embodiment. The rehabilitation support system (the rehabilitation system) according to this embodiment mainly includes a walking training apparatus 100, an external communication apparatus 300, and a server (a server apparatus) 500.

The walking training apparatus 100 is a specific example of a rehabilitation support apparatus that supports rehabilitation performed by a trainee (a user) 900. The walking training apparatus 100 is an apparatus by which the trainee 900, who is, for example, a hemiplegic patient suffering from paralysis in one of his/her legs, does walking training under the guidance of a training staff member 901. Note that the training staff member 901 can be a therapist (a physical therapist) or a doctor, and may also be referred to as a training instructor, a training assistant, a training supporter, or the like because he/she instructs the trainee in training or assists the trainee by giving assistance and the like. As shown as an example above, the training staff member 901 is a person(s).

The walking training apparatus 100 mainly includes a control panel 133 attached to a frame 130 forming an overall framework, a treadmill 131 on which the trainee 900 walks, and a walking assistance apparatus 120 attached to the diseased leg, i.e., the leg on the paralyzed side of the trainee 900.

The frame 130 is disposed in a standing position on the treadmill 131 mounted on the floor surface. The treadmill 131 rotates a ring-shaped belt 132 by using a motor (not shown). The treadmill 131 is an apparatus that prompts the trainee 900 to walk, and the trainee 900, who does a walking training, gets on the belt 132 and tries walking in accordance with the movement of the belt 132. Note that the training staff member 901 can stand on the belt 132 behind the trainee 900 and walk together as shown in FIG. 1. However, the training staff member 901 may typically be in a state in which he/she can easily assists the trainee 900 such as standing with his/her feet on both sides of the belt 132.

The frame 130 supports, for example, the control panel 133 that houses an overall control unit 210 that controls motors and sensors, and a training monitor 138 that is formed by, for example, a liquid-crystal panel and shows progress of the training and the like to the trainee 900. Further, the frame 130 supports a front pulling unit 135 roughly above and in front of the head of the trainee 900, supports a harness pulling unit 112 roughly above the head, and supports a rear pulling unit 137 roughly above and behind the head. Further, the frame 130 also includes handrails 130 a that the trainee 900 grasps.

The handrails 130 a are disposed on the left and right sides of the trainee 900. Each of the handrails 130 a is orientated in a direction parallel to the walking direction of the trainee 900. The vertical position and the left/right position of the handrails 130 a are adjustable. That is, the handrails 130 a may include a mechanism for changing its height and width (i.e., distance therebetween). Further, the handrails 130 a can be configured so that their inclination angles can be changed by, for example, adjusting the heights of their front sides and the rear sides in the walking direction to different heights. For example, the handrails 130 a can have an inclination angle so that their heights gradually increase along the walking direction.

Further, each of the handrails 130 a is equipped with a handrail sensor 218 that detects a load (e.g., a pressure) received from the trainee 900. For example, the handrail sensor 218 may be a resistance change detection-type load detection sheet in which electrodes are arranged in a matrix pattern. Further, the handrail sensor 218 may be a six-axis sensor in which a three-axis acceleration sensor (x, y, z) is combined with a three-axis gyro sensor (roll, pitch, yaw). However, there is no particular limitation on the type of the handrail sensor 218 and the place where the handrail sensor 218 is disposed.

The camera 140 functions as an image pickup unit for observing the whole body of the trainee 900. The camera 140 is disposed near the training monitor 138 and positioned so as to face the trainee. The camera 140 takes still images and/or moving images of the trainee 900 during the training. The camera 140 includes a set of a lens and an image pickup device so that it has such an angle of view that it can shoot the whole body of the trainee 900. The image pickup device is, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor, and converts an optical image formed on an image forming surface into an image signal.

By the coordinated operation of the front pulling unit 135 and the rear pulling unit 137, the load of the walking assistance apparatus 120 is cancelled so that it does not become a load on the diseased leg. Further, the swinging motion of the diseased leg is assisted according to the set level.

One end of a front wire 134 is connected to a winding mechanism of the front pulling unit 135 and the other end thereof is connected to the walking assistance apparatus 120. The winding mechanism of the front pulling unit 135 winds or pays out the front wire 134 according to the motion of the diseased leg by turning on/off a motor (not shown). Similarly, one end of a rear wire 136 is connected to the winding mechanism of the rear pulling unit 137 and the other end thereof is connected to the walking assistance apparatus 120. The winding mechanism of the rear pulling unit 137 winds or pays out the rear wire 136 according to the motion of the diseased leg by turning on/off a motor (not shown). By the coordinated operation of the front pulling unit 135 and the rear pulling unit 137 as described above, the load of the walking assistance apparatus 120 is cancelled so that it does not become a load on the diseased leg. Further, the swinging motion of the diseased leg is assisted according to the set level.

For example, the training staff member 901, who serves as an operator, increases the set assistance level for a trainee who suffers from severe paralysis. When the assistance level is set to a large value, the front pulling unit 135 winds the front wire 134 with a relatively large force according to the timing of the swinging of the diseased leg. When the training has progressed and the assistance is no longer required, the training staff member 901 sets the assistance level to the minimum value. When the assistance level is set to the minimum value, the front pulling unit 135 winds the front wire 134 according to the timing of the swinging of the diseased leg with a force by which only the weight of the walking assistance apparatus 120 itself is cancelled.

The walking training apparatus 100 includes a fall-prevention harness apparatus as a safety apparatus, which includes, as its main components, a harness 110, a harness wire 111, and a harness pulling unit 112. The harness 110 is a belt that is wound around the abdomen of the trainee 900 and is fixed to his/her waist by, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener. The harness 110 includes a connection hook 110 a that connects one end of the harness wire 111, which serves as a hoisting tool, to the harness 110, and may be referred to as a hanger belt. The trainee 900 attaches the harness 110 to his/her diseased leg so that the connection hook 110 a is positioned in the rear part of the diseased leg.

One end of the harness wire 111 is connected to the connection hook 110 a of the harness 110 and the other end thereof is connected to a winding mechanism of the harness pulling unit 112. The winding mechanism of the harness pulling unit 112 winds or pays out the harness wire 111 by turning on/off a motor (not shown). By the above-described configuration, when the trainee 900 is about to fall down, the fall-prevention harness apparatus winds the harness wire 111 according to an instruction from the overall control unit 210, which has detected the falling-down movement of the trainee 900, and thereby supports the upper body of the trainee 900 by the harness 110, so that the trainee 900 is prevented from falling down.

The harness 110 includes a posture sensor 217 for detecting the posture of trainee 900. The posture sensor 217 is, for example, a combination of a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor, and outputs an inclination angle of the abdomen, to which the harness 110 is attached, with respect to the direction of gravity.

A management monitor 139 is attached to the frame 130 and serves as a display/input device by which the training staff member 901 or the like monitors and operates the rehabilitation support system. The management monitor 139 is formed by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. Further, a touch panel is disposed over its surface. The management monitor 139 displays various menu items related to the training setting, various parameter values during the training, training results, and so on. Further, an emergency stop button 232 is provided near the management monitor 139. When the training staff member 901 pushes the emergency stop button 232, the walking training apparatus 100 immediately stops its operation.

The walking assistance apparatus 120 is attached to the diseased leg of the trainee 900 and assists the trainee 900 in walking by reducing the load of the extension and flexion at the knee joint of the diseased leg. The walking assistance apparatus 120 includes a sensor or the like that measures the load (e.g., the pressure) on the sole of the foot, and outputs various data related to the moving leg to the overall control unit 210. Further, the harness 110 can be connected to the walking assistance apparatus 120 by using a connection member (hereinafter referred to as a hip joint) including a rotation part. Details of the walking assistance apparatus 120 will be described later.

The overall control unit 210 generates rehabilitation data that may include setting parameters related to the training setting, various data related to the moving leg output from the walking assistance apparatus 120 as a result of training, and so on. The rehabilitation data may include, for example, data indicating the training staff member 901 or indicating his/her years of experience, level of proficiency, etc., data indicating the symptom, the walking ability, the degree of recovery, etc., of the trainee 900, various data output from sensors and the like provided outside the walking assistance apparatus 120. Note that details of the rehabilitation data will be described later.

The external communication apparatus 300 is a specific example of transmission means for transmitting the rehabilitation data to the outside. The external communication apparatus 300 may have a function of receiving and temporarily storing rehabilitation data output from the walking training apparatus 100 and a function of transmitting the stored rehabilitation data to the server 500.

The external communication apparatus 300 is connected to the control panel 133 of the walking training apparatus 100 through, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Further, the external communication apparatus 300 is connected to a network 400 such as the Internet or an intranet through a wireless communication apparatus 410 by, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the walking training apparatus 100 may be equipped with a communication apparatus instead of using the external communication apparatus 300.

The server 500 is a specific example of the storage means for storing rehabilitation data. The server 500 is connected to the network 400 and has a function of accumulating rehabilitation data received from the external communication apparatus 300. The function of the server 500 will be described later.

In the first embodiment, the walking training apparatus 100 is described as an example of the rehabilitation support apparatus. However, the rehabilitation support apparatus is not limited to this example and may be a walking training apparatus having a different configuration. That is, the rehabilitation support apparatus may be an arbitrary rehabilitation support apparatus that supports rehabilitation performed by a trainee. For example, the rehabilitation support apparatus may be an upper-limb rehabilitation support apparatus that supports rehabilitation of a shoulder(s) or an arm(s). Alternatively, the rehabilitation support apparatus may be a rehabilitation support apparatus that supports rehabilitation for a balancing ability of a trainee.

Next, the walking assistance apparatus 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a configuration of the walking assistance apparatus 120. The walking assistance apparatus 120 mainly includes a control unit 121, a plurality of frames that support each part of a diseased leg, and a load sensor 222 for detecting a load (e.g., a pressure) applied to the sole.

The control unit 121 includes an assistance control unit 220 that controls the walking assistance apparatus 120, and also includes a motor(s) (not shown) that generates a driving force(s) for assisting extending movements and flexing movements of the knee joint. The frames, which support each part of the diseased leg, includes an upper-leg frame 122 and a lower-leg frame 123 rotatably connected to the upper-leg frame 122. Further, the frames also include a sole frame 124 rotatably connected to the lower-leg frame 123, a front connection frame 127 for connecting a front wire 134, and a rear connection frame 128 for connecting a rear wire 136.

The upper-leg frame 122 and the lower-leg frame 123 rotate relative to each other around a hinge axis H_(a) shown in the figure. The motor of the control unit 121 rotates according to an instruction from the assistance control unit 220, and by doing so, force the upper-leg frame 122 and the lower-leg frame 123 to open relative to each other around the hinge axis H_(a) or force them to close relative to each other. The angle sensor 223 housed in the control unit 121 is, for example, a rotary encoder and detects an angle between the upper-leg frame 122 and the lower-leg frame 123 around the hinge axis H_(a). The lower-leg frame 123 and the sole frame 124 rotate relative to each other around a hinge axis H_(b) shown in the figure. The angular range of their relative rotation is adjusted in advance by an adjustment mechanism 126.

The front connection frame 127 is disposed so as to extend in the left/right direction in front of the upper leg and is connected to the upper-leg frame 122 at both ends. Further, a connection hook 127 a for connecting the front wire 134 is provided at or near the center of the front connection frame 127 in the left/right direction. The rear connection frame 128 is disposed so as to extend in the left/right direction behind the lower leg and is connected to the lower-leg frame 123 at both ends. Further, a connection hook 128 a for connecting the rear wire 136 is provided at or near the center of the rear connection frame 128 in the left/right direction.

The upper-leg frame 122 includes an upper-leg belt 129. The upper-leg belt 129 is a belt integrally provided in the upper-leg frame and is wound around the upper leg of the diseased leg to fix the upper-leg frame 122 to the upper leg. In this way, the whole walking assistance apparatus 120 is prevented from being displaced from the leg of the trainee 900.

The load sensor 222 is a load sensor embedded in the sole frame 124. The load sensor 222 may be configured to detect a magnitude and a distribution of a vertical load (e.g., a vertical pressure) received by the sole of the trainee 900. For example, the load sensor 222 may be configured to detect a COP (Center Of Pressure) of the sole. The load sensor 222 is, for example, a resistance change detection-type load detection sheet in which electrodes are arranged in a matrix pattern.

Next, an example of a system configuration of the walking training apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the walking training apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the walking training apparatus 100 may include an overall control unit 210, a treadmill drive unit 211, an operation reception unit 212, a display control unit 213, and a pulling drive unit 214. Further, the walking training apparatus 100 may include a harness drive unit 215, an image processing unit 216, a posture sensor 217, a handrail sensor 218, a communication connection IF (interface) 219, an input/output unit 231, and a walking assistance apparatus 120.

The overall control unit 210 is, for example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and controls the overall operations of the apparatus by executing a control program loaded from a system memory. The overall control unit 210 may include a walking evaluation unit 210 a, a training determination unit 210 b, an input/output control unit 210 c, and a notification control unit 210 d, all of which will be described later.

The treadmill drive unit 211 includes a motor that rotates the belt 132 and its drive circuit. The overall control unit 210 controls the rotation of the belt 132 by sending a drive signal to the treadmill drive unit 211. The overall control unit 210 adjusts, for example, the rotational speed of the belt 132 according to a walking speed set by the training staff member 901.

The operation reception unit 212 receives an input operation from the training staff member 901 and transmits an operation signal to the overall control unit 210. The training staff member 901 operates operation buttons provided in the apparatus, a touch panel disposed over the management monitor 139, an accessory remote controller, etc., which constitute the operation reception unit 212. By the above-described operation, the training staff member can turn on/off the power, provide an instruction to start training, enter a numerical value for the setting, and select a menu item. Note that the operation reception unit 212 can also receive an input operation from the trainee 900.

The display control unit 213 receives a display signal from the overall control unit 210, generates a display image, and displays the generated display image on the training monitor 138 or the management monitor 139. The display control unit 213 generates an image showing progress of the training and a real-time video image shot by the camera 140.

The pulling drive unit 214 includes a motor for pulling the front wire 134 and its drive circuit, which constitute the front pulling unit 135, and a motor for pulling the rear wire 136 and its drive circuit, which constitute the rear pulling unit 137. The overall control unit 210 controls winding of the front wire 134 and winding of the rear wire 136 by sending a drive signal(s) to the pulling drive unit 214. Further, the pulling force of each wire is controlled by controlling the driving torque of the respective motor in addition to controlling the winding operation. The overall control unit 210 identifies (i.e., determines), for example, a timing at which the diseased leg changes from a stance state to a swing state from the result of the detection by the load sensor 222, and assists the swinging action of the diseased leg by increasing or decreasing the pulling force of each wire in synchronization with the identified timing.

The harness drive unit 215 includes a motor for pulling the harness wire 111 and its drive circuit, which constitute the harness pulling unit 112. The overall control unit 210 controls winding of the harness wire 111 and the pulling force of the harness wire 111 by sending a drive signal(s) to the harness drive unit 215. For example, when the overall control unit 210 predicts that the trainee 900 will fall down, it prevents the trainee from falling down by winding the harness wire 111 by a certain length.

The image processing unit 216 is connected to the camera 140, so that it can receive an image signal from the camera 140. The image processing unit 216 receives an image signal from the camera 140 according to an instruction from the overall control unit 210, and generates image data by performing image processing on the received image signal. Further, the image processing unit 216 can also perform a specific image analysis by performing image processing on the image signal received from the camera 140 according to an instruction from the overall control unit 210. For example, the image processing unit 216 detects the position of the foot of the diseased leg at which the foot is in contact with the treadmill 131 (i.e., a stance position) by the image analysis. Specifically, for example, the image processing unit 216 extracts an image area near the tip of the sole frame 124, and calculates the stance position by analyzing an identification marker drawn on a part of the belt 132 where the tip of the sole frame 124 is located.

The posture sensor 217 detects an inclination angle of the abdomen of the trainee 900 with respect to the direction of gravity as described above, and transmits a detection signal to the overall control unit 210. The overall control unit 210 calculates the posture of the trainee 900, in particular, an inclination angle of his/her trunk by using the detection signal from the posture sensor 217. Note that the overall control unit 210 and the posture sensor 217 may be connected to each other through a cable or through short-range wireless communication.

The handrail sensor 218 detects a load (e.g., a pressure) applied to the handrail 130 a. That is, the amount of the load corresponding to the part of the trainee's own weight that the trainee 900 cannot support by both legs is applied to the handrails 130 a. The handrail sensor 218 detects this load and transmits a detection signal to the overall control unit 210.

The overall control unit 210 also serves as a function execution unit that performs various arithmetic operations and controls related to the overall control. The walking evaluation unit 210 a evaluates whether the walking motion of the trainee 900 is abnormal or not by using data acquired from various sensors. The training determination unit 210 b determines a training result of a series of walking trainings based on, for example, a cumulative number of the abnormal walking evaluated by the walking evaluation unit 210 a. The overall control unit 210 can generate, as part of the rehabilitation data, a result of this determination or the cumulative number of the abnormal walking, based on which the determination result has been obtained.

Note that the determination method, including its criterion, is not limited to any particular methods. For example, the determination can be made by comparing an amount of movement of the paralyzed body part with a reverence value in each walking phase. Note that the walking phases are defined, for example, by classifying (i.e., dividing) one walking cycle of the diseased leg (or a normal leg) into a stance phase in a stance state, a transition phase from the stance phase to a swing phase in a swing state, the swing phase, a transition phase from the swing phase to the stance phase, etc. The walking phase can be classified (determined) based on, for example, the detection result of the load sensor 222 as described above. Note that although the walking cycle can be regarded as one cycle including a stance phase, a transitional phase, a swing phase, and another transitional phase as described above, any of these phases can be defined as the start phase. Alternatively, the walking cycle can be regarded as one cycle including, for example, a double-leg support state, a single-leg (diseased-leg) support state, a double-leg support state, and a single-leg (normal-leg) support state. Even in this case, any state may be defined as the start state.

Further, the walking cycle in which attention is paid to the right leg or the left leg (the normal leg or the diseased leg) can be further subdivided. For example, the stance phase can be divided into an initial ground contact and other four sub-phases, and the swing phase can be divided into three sub-phases. The initial ground contact means a moment when the observed foot touches the floor, and the four sub-phases of the stance phase means a load response phase, a mid-stance phase, a terminal stance phase, and a pre-swing phase. The load response phase is a period from the initial ground contact to when the opposite foot comes off the floor (opposite-foot-off). The mid-stance is a period from the opposite-foot-off to when the heel of the observed foot comes off the floor (heel-off). The terminal stance phase is a period from the heel-off to an initial ground contact on the opposite side. The pre-swing phase is a period from the initial ground contact on the opposite side to when the observed foot comes off the floor (foot-off). The three sub-phases of the swing phase mean an initial swing phase, a mid-swing phase, and a terminal swing phase. The initial swing phase is a period from the end of the pre-swing phase (the aforementioned foot-off) to when both feet cross each other (foot crossing). The mid-swing phase is a period from the foot crossing to when the tibia becomes vertical (vertical tibia). The terminal swing phase is a period from the vertical tibia to the next initial ground contact.

The communication connection IF 219 is an interface connected to the overall control unit 210, and is an interface for providing an instruction to the walking assistance apparatus 120 attached to the diseased leg of the trainee 900 and receiving sensor information therefrom.

The walking assistance apparatus 120 may include a communication connection IF 229 that is connected to the communication connection IF 219 through a cable or wirelessly. The communication connection IF 229 is connected to the assistance control unit 220 of the walking assistance apparatus 120. The communication connection IFs 219 and 229 are communication interfaces in conformity with communication standards, such as those of a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

Further, the walking assistance apparatus 120 may include an assistance control unit 220, a joint drive unit 221, a load sensor 222, and an angle sensor 223. The assistance control unit 220 is, for example, an MPU and controls the walking assistance apparatus 120 by executing a control program according to an instruction from the overall control unit 210. Further, the assistance control unit 220 notifies the overall control unit 210 of the state of the walking assistance apparatus 120 through the communication connection IFs 229 and 219. Further, the assistance control unit 220 performs control of walking assistance apparatus 120, such as the start/stop thereof, in response to a command from the overall control unit 210.

The joint drive unit 221 includes a motor of the control unit 121 and its drive circuit. The assistance control unit 220 sends a drive signal to the joint drive unit 221 to force the upper-leg frame 122 and the lower-leg frame 123 to open relative to each other around the hinge axis H_(a) or force them to close relative to each other. Through the above-described operations, the assistance control unit 220 assists an extending motion and a flexing motion of the knee and prevents the knee from buckling.

The load sensor 222 detects the magnitude and the distribution of the vertical load (e.g., the vertical pressure) applied to the sole of the trainee 900 and transmits a detection signal to the assistance control unit 220 as described above. The assistance control unit 220 receives and analyzes the detection signal, and thereby determines the swing/stance state and estimates the switching therebetween.

The angle sensor 223 detects the angle between the upper-leg frame 122 and the lower-leg frame 123 around the hinge axis H_(a) and transmits a detection signal to the assistance control unit 220 as described above. The assistance control unit 220 receives this detection signal and calculates the open angle of the knee joint.

The input/output unit 231 includes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface and is a communication interface for connecting to an external apparatus (an external communication apparatus 300 or other external apparatus). The input/output control unit 210 c of the overall control unit 210 communicates with the external apparatus through the input/output unit 231, rewrites the above-described control program stored in the overall control unit 210 and the control program stored in the assistance control unit 220, receives commands, outputs generated rehabilitation data, and so on. The walking training apparatus 100 communicates with the server 500 through the input/output unit 231 and the external communication apparatus 300 under the control of the input/output controller 210 c. For example, the input/output control unit 210 c can control the transmission of rehabilitation data to the server 500 and the reception of a command from the server 500 through the input/output unit 231 and the external communication apparatus 300.

When it is necessary to provide a notification to the training staff member 901, the notification control unit 210 d provides the notification from the management monitor 139 or a separately-provided speaker(s) by controlling the display control unit 213 or a separately-provided sound control unit or the like. The situation in which it is necessary to provide a notification to the training staff member 901 may include a situation in which a command for providing a notification is received from the server 500. Details of this notification will be described later.

Next, the server 500 will be described in detail.

As described above, the walking training apparatus 100 transmits various rehabilitation data to the server 500 through the external communication apparatus 300. The server 500 may be configured so as to receive rehabilitation data from a plurality of walking training apparatuses 100. In this way, the server 500 can collect a number of rehabilitation data. Further, the server 500 is a processing apparatus that processes various data. For example, the server 500 can function as a learning apparatus (a learning system) that constructs a trained model by performing machine learning by using collected rehabilitation data. The learning apparatus can also be a learning machine. Note that the learning apparatus may also be referred to as a learning model generation apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the server 500. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 500 may include a control unit 510, a communication IF 514, a data accumulation unit 520, and a model storage unit 521. The control unit 510 is, for example, an MPU and controls the server 500 by executing a control program loaded from a system memory. The control unit 510 may include a level determination unit 510 a, a learning unit 510 b, and a response processing unit 510 c, which will be described later. Further, in this case, the above-described control program includes a program(s) for implementing the functions of the aforementioned units 510 a to 510 c.

The communication IF 514 includes, for example, a wired LAN interface and is a communication interface for connecting to the network 400. The control unit 510 can receive rehabilitation data from the walking training apparatus 100 and transmit a command to the walking training apparatus 100 through the communication IF 514.

The data accumulation unit 520 includes a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores rehabilitation data therein. The control unit 510 writes the rehabilitation data received from the external communication apparatus 300 into the data accumulation unit 520 through the communication IF 514.

Similarly, the model storage unit 521 includes a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. Note that the data accumulation unit 520 and the model storage unit 521 may include (i.e., share) a common storage device. The model storage unit 521 stores at least one of a learning model that has not been trained yet (including those under training) (hereinafter referred to as an untrained model) and a learning model that has been already trained (hereinafter referred to as a trained model). When the server 500 functions as a learning apparatus, at least an untrained model is stored in the model storage unit 521. When the server 500 performs a rehabilitation support process in cooperation with the walking training apparatus 100, at least an operable trained model is stored in the model storage unit 521.

Further, the control unit 510 may be configured so as to perform control to switch between a function as a learning apparatus and a function for performing a rehabilitation support process by using a trained model. Note that the servers 500 may be distributed to (or divided into) an apparatus that is used in a learning stage and an apparatus that is used in an operation stage in which a trained model is used. The learning unit 510 b is provided in order to enable the server 500 to function as a learning apparatus. Further, the level determination unit 510 a and the response processing unit 510 c are provided in order to enable the server 500 to perform a part of the rehabilitation support process.

(Rehabilitation Data)

Prior to describing the level determination unit 510 a, the learning unit 510 b, and the response processing unit 510 c, rehabilitation data that the server 500 can collect for learning or for a rehabilitation support process is described hereinafter. The rehabilitation data that the server 500 can collect mainly includes (1) setting parameters of the walking training apparatus 100, (2) detection data detected by sensors and the like provided in the walking training apparatus 100, (3) data related to the trainee 900, and (4) data related to the training staff member 901. The rehabilitation data of the above-described items (1) to (4) may be collected in association with their acquisition date. Further, the detection data or the setting parameter may be collected as time-series log data, or may be, for example, feature values extracted from data acquired at certain time intervals.

The rehabilitation data is mainly data that is obtained by an input operation, an automatic input, a measurement by a sensor, or the like in the walking training apparatus 100. Further, the rehabilitation data may also include recorded image data recorded by the camera 140. Note that the rehabilitation data may be data acquired on each day of rehabilitation. In this case, the rehabilitation data can be referred to as daily report data. In the following description, it is assumed that the server 500 collects rehabilitation data generated by the walking training apparatus 100. However, it is also possible to configure the server 500 so as to acquire a part of rehabilitation data from an apparatus other than the walking training apparatus 100 such as another server. Here, the part of the rehabilitation data may be, for example, a detail of data of the above-described item (3) such as a symptom of the trainee 900, or a detail of data of the above-described item (4) such as years of experience of a PT (Physical Therapist). The former can be stored in other servers as medical record information of the trainee 900 and the latter can be stored in other servers as a personal history of a PT.

In the learning stage, the server 500 may receive rehabilitation data from the walking training apparatus 100 when new rehabilitation data is generated or at regular intervals such as on every day or in every week. The type of rehabilitation data to be used (the content included in rehabilitation data) in the learning stage may be changed from that in the operation stage. For example, in the operation stage, the server 500 may receive rehabilitation data from the walking training apparatus 100 at the start of training, and may receive data of the above-described item (1) and (2) that is changed during the training. Further, the transmission and the reception of rehabilitation data may be initiated by either the walking training apparatus 100 or the server 500.

The above-described item (1) is described.

The data of the above-described item (1) can be defined as training data of the trainee 900 that is acquired during rehabilitation in the walking training apparatus 100 together with the detection data of the above-described item (2).

The setting parameter of the walking training apparatus 100 is, for example, data that is input by an operator or automatically set in order to define the actions performed by the walking training apparatus 100. Note that as described above, it is assumed that the operator is typically the training staff member 901 who actually attends the training of the trainee 900. Therefore, the following description is given on the assumption that the operator is the training staff member 901. Further, the training staff member 901 is often a PT (Physical Therapist). Therefore, the training staff member 901 may also be referred to simply as the “PT” in the following description.

In the walking training apparatus 100, the level of difficulty of walking training can be adjusted by the setting parameters. Note that the setting parameters may include a parameter indicating the level of difficulty, and in this case, some or all of the other setting parameters may be changed according to the change in the level of difficulty. The training staff member 901 increases the level of difficulty of the walking training as the trainee 900 recovers. That is, the training staff member 901 reduces the assistance provided by the walking training apparatus 100 as the walking ability of the trainee 900 improves. Further, the training staff member 901 increases the assistance when an abnormality is found during the walking training. As the training staff member 901 appropriately adjusts the setting parameters, the trainee 900 can perform appropriate walking training and hence perform the rehabilitation more efficiently.

Specific examples of the setting parameters are shown hereinafter.

Examples of the setting parameters include a partial weight-supported amount [%], vertical positions of the handrails 130 a [cm], left/right positions of the handrails 130 a [cm], presence/absence of a hip joint, ankle joint plantar flexion limitation [deg], and ankle joint dorsiflexion limitation [deg]. Further, the examples of the setting parameters also include a treadmill speed [km/h], swinging assistance [level], and a swinging forward/backward ratio [forward/backward]. Further, the examples of the setting parameters also include knee extension assistance [level], a knee flexing angle [deg], a knee flexing/extending time [sec], a wedge thickness (or a shoe lift) [mm], a weight-off threshold [%], and a load threshold [%]. Further, the examples of the setting parameters also include an inclination of the belt of the treadmill [deg], assistance for a motion of a joint by the walking assistance apparatus [level], a frequency with which assistance for a motion of a joint or swinging assistance by the walking assistance apparatus is provided, a condition for determining abnormal or normal walking (e.g., a determination threshold), a condition for determining that the trainee will fall down or is likely to fall down (e.g., a determination threshold), and a condition for an occurrence of abnormal or normal walking in the case where a notification is provided in association with the abnormal or normal walking (a frequency of occurrences, an occurrence threshold, etc.). Note that the notification may be any of a sound, a vibration, a display, or the like, and may include some or all of them. Note that any type of unit may be used as the unit of data included in rehabilitation data, including the above-shown setting parameters.

The partial weight-supported amount is a ratio at which the weight of the trainee 900 is supported by making the harness pulling unit 112 pull the harness wire 111. The training staff member 901 sets the partial weight-supported amount to a lower value as the desired level of difficulty of the walking training increases. The vertical positions and the left/right positions of the handrails 130 a are amounts of adjustments of the handrails 130 a from reference positions. The presence/absence of a hip joint is whether or not the hip joint is attached. The ankle joint plantar flexion limitation and the ankle joint dorsiflexion limitation define an angular range in which the lower-leg frame 123 and the sole frame 124 can rotate around the hinge axis H_(b). The ankle joint plantar flexion limitation corresponds to an upper-limit angle on the front side and the ankle joint dorsiflexion limitation corresponds to a maximum angle on the rear side. That is, the ankle joint plantar flexion limitation and the ankle joint dorsiflexion limitation are limit values of angles at which the ankle joint is bent in a direction in which the toe is lowered and a direction in which the toe is raised, respectively. The training staff member 901 sets the values of the ankle joint plantar flexion limitation and the ankle joint dorsiflexion limitation so that the angular range increases as the desired level of difficulty of the walking training increases.

The treadmill speed is a walking speed on the treadmill 131. The training staff member 901 sets the treadmill speed to a higher value as the desired level of difficulty of the walking training increases. The swinging assistance is a level corresponding to the pulling force applied by the front wire 134 when the leg is swung. Further, the maximum pulling force is increased as this level is raised. The training staff member 901 sets the swinging assistance to a lower level as the desired level of difficulty of the walking training increases. The swinging forward/backward ratio is a ratio between the pulling force by the front wire 134 and the pulling force by the rear wire 136 when the leg is swung.

The knee extending assistance is a level corresponding to the driving torque of the joint drive unit 221 that is applied to prevent the knee from buckling during the stance state. Further, the driving torque is increased as this level is raised. The training staff member 901 sets the knee extending assistance at a lower level as the desired level of difficulty of the walking training increases. The knee flexing angle is an angle at which knee extending assistance is provided. The knee flexing/extending time is a period during which the knee extending assistance is provided. Further, when this value is large, the knee is assisted so that it is slowly flexed and extended, whereas when this value is small, the knee is assisted so that it is quickly flexed and extended.

The wedge thickness is a height of a member such as a cushion provided in the sole of the shoe of the leg of the trainee 900 opposite to the paralyzed leg thereof (i.e., the leg on the side on which the walking assistance apparatus 120 is not attached). The weight-off threshold is one of the thresholds for the load (i.e., the pressure) applied to the sole. When the load becomes smaller than this threshold, the swinging assistance is cancelled (i.e., ceased). The load threshold is one of the thresholds for the load applied to the sole. When the load exceeds this threshold, the swinging assist is provided (i.e., started). As described above, the walking assistance apparatus 120 may be configured so that the flexing/extending motion of the knee can be adjusted by four setting parameters, i.e., the knee flexing angle, the knee flexing/extending time, the weight-off threshold, and the load threshold.

Further, the walking training apparatus 100 may also be configured so that setting values of various parameters such as a load and an angle, a target value, a target achievement rate, a target achievement timing, etc. are fed back to the trainee and/or training staff member by a sound output from a speaker(s) (not shown). The above-described setting parameters may include parameters for other settings such as presence/absence of a feedback sound and its volume.

Further, the above-described setting parameters may not be setting parameters directly related to the level of difficulty of the training. For example, the above-described setting parameters may be setting values for images, music, a type of game, a level of difficulty of game, etc. that are provided through the training monitor 138 or a speaker(s) (not shown) in order to motivate the trainee 900.

Note that the above-described setting parameters are merely examples and other setting parameters may be used. Further, some of the above-described setting parameters may not be used. Further, although the above-described setting parameters include many parameters for adjusting the level of difficulty of the training as described above, they may also include parameters unrelated to the level of difficulty. For example, the walking training apparatus 100 may be configured so as to display an alert icon image that is to be displayed on the training monitor 138. Further, examples of the setting parameters unrelated to the level of difficulty include parameters for increasing the degree of concentration of the trainee 900 on the training, such as the size and the displaying interval of the above-described alert icon image. Further, time information such as date and time at which the setting operation is performed or timing information other than the time (e.g., information indicating a distinction between the stance phase, the swing phase, etc. in one walking cycle) can be added to the above-described setting parameters.

The above-described item (2) is described.

The detection data of the above-described item (2) can be defined as training data of the trainee 900 that is acquired during the rehabilitation in the walking training apparatus 100 together with the data of the above-described item (1).

A typical example of the detection data is sensor data. The sensor data is sensor values detected by various sensors of the walking training apparatus 100. For example, the sensor data includes an inclination angle of the trunk detected by the posture sensor 217, a load and an inclination angle detected by the handrail sensor 218, an angle detected by the angle sensor 223, etc. The sensors that output the sensor data are an acceleration sensor, an angular-velocity sensor, a position sensor, an optical sensor, a torque sensor, a weight sensor, etc. Further, encoders provided in motors of the winding mechanisms or the like of the front wire 134, the rear wire 136, and the harness wire 111 may be used as sensors. Further, a torque sensor (a load cell) of the motor may be used as a sensor, or a current detection unit that detects a driving current value for driving the motor may be used as a sensor.

Further, the sensor data may include, for example, line-of-sight data acquired by a line-of-sight detection sensor that detects a line of sight. Similar line-of-sight data can be obtained by detecting a line of sight of the trainee 900 by performing image processing based on an image taken by shooting at least an area including the eyes of the trainee 900, or obtained by determining the orientation (upward/downward etc.) of the face of the trainee 900 based on an image taken by shooting at least the face. Such data may also be included in the aforementioned detection data. Further, the detection data may be audio data (voice data) acquired by a voice acquisition unit, such as a microphone, that acquires a voice of the trainee 900 or the training staff member 901, text data obtained by performing a voice analysis on the voice data, or data obtained by analyzing the text data. The voice of the training staff member 901 may include an encouraging talk to the trainee 900 about, for example, how to correct his/her walking. Further, the sensor data may be data obtained by detecting brain waves of the trainee 900 by using an electroencephalograph, or may be data obtained by detecting brain waves of the training staff member 901 by using an electroencephalograph.

In particular, in this embodiment, control is performed based on a motivation as will be described later. Therefore, motivation information indicating a motivation is acquired. Examples of the motivation information include camera information (information indicating the state of the trainee 900, such as a line of sight, an orientation of the head, and a facial expression) obtained by the camera 140 and information about the inclination angle of the trunk of the trainee 900 obtained by the posture sensor 217. Although the camera 140 has been described as one that takes an image of the whole body of the trainee 900, it may be positioned so as to take an image of, in particular, the line of sight or the face of the trainee 900 in order to obtain motivation information. It is considered that when the direction of the line of sight or the orientation of the head (the direction of the face) is a downward direction (e.g., when he/she does not look at the center of the training monitor 138 but looks at the lower side thereof), his/her motivation is low. Regarding the facial expression, it is considered that, for example, when the mouth is curved (e.g., is slacken), the motivation is low. Further, information that is obtained when the trainee 900 is not performing the training can also be taking into consideration. For example, it is considered that the motivation of a trainee 900 who constantly looks downward during the preparation is low.

Further, examples of the motivation information also include information on a conversation (communication) between the training staff member 901 and the trainee 900 included in audio data acquired by an audio acquisition unit such as a microphone(s). For example, it is considered that the high/low (i.e., level) of the motivation of the trainee 900 can be estimated from his/her positive attitude for a conversation and/or the ratio of his/her speech in the conversation. Further, it is possible to obtain information indicating the level of motivation by combining the conversation with the line of sight or the like. For example, in a situation in which the trainee 900 continuously looks downward or reluctantly continues the training when the training staff member 901 talks to him/her, it can be presumed that his/her motivation is low.

Further, the line-of-sight detection sensor, a shooting unit that takes the above-described image, a microphone, and the like can be disposed in the walking training apparatus 100 itself. Alternatively, they can also be disposed in, for example, an eyeglass-type wearable terminal that is worn by the trainee 900. This terminal may include a wireless communication unit that wirelessly transmits and receives data by a wireless communication technique such as Bluetooth (Registered Trademark). Further, the walking training apparatus 100 may also include a wireless communication unit. In this way, the walking training apparatus 100 can acquire data acquired by the wearable terminal through wireless communication. Although the electroencephalograph is limited to those having high detection accuracy, it may be disposed in the walking training apparatus 100 itself and configured so that the electroencephalogram of the trainee 900 and that of the training staff member 901 can be separately detected. However, the electroencephalograph may be disposed at a position near the person whose brain waves are detected, such as being disposed in the above-described eyeglass-type wearable terminal (e.g., in a side frame of the eyeglasses).

Further, the detection unit that acquires detection data, such as a sensor, is not limited to those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 or those exemplified by the eyeglass-type wearable terminal. For example, the trainee 900 may wear clothes equipped with a wearable biosensor and/or a wearable touch sensor. Here, the clothes are not limited to those worn on the upper body. That is, they may be those worn on the lower body, a top-and-bottom set, or those attached to a part of the harness 110 or the like. Further, a wireless communication unit like the one described above is provided in each of the clothes and the walking training apparatus 100. In this way, the walking training apparatus 100 can acquire data acquired by the wearable biological sensor or the wearable touch sensor through wireless communication. The wearable biosensor can acquire vital data such as the heart rate of the wearer. The wearable touch sensor can acquire data indicating information about a touch on the trainee 900, who is the wearer, made from the outside. That is, the wearable touch sensor can acquire data indicating information about a position where the training staff member 901 touched the trainee 900.

Further, the detection data is not limited to the values indicated by the detection signals detected by various sensors and the like. That is, they may include values calculated based on the detection signals from a plurality of sensors and statistical values obtained by statistically processing detection signals from one or a plurality of sensors or the like. As the statistical values, various statistical values such as an average value, a maximum value, a minimum value, and a standard deviation value may be used. Alternatively, they may be static statistical values or dynamic statistical values over a certain period such as one day, one training practice, or one walking cycle.

For example, the sensor data may include an open angle of the knee joint calculated from the angle between the upper-leg frame 122 and the lower-leg frame 123 detected by the angle sensor 223. Further, the sensor data of the angle sensor may include an angular velocity that is obtained by differentiate the angle. The sensor data of the acceleration sensor may be a velocity that is obtained by integrating the acceleration or a position that is obtained by integrating the acceleration twice.

For example, the detection data may include the below-described average value, the sum total value, the maximum value, the minimum value, and the representative value for each day or for each rehabilitation session on one day. Here, examples of the average value include an average speed (total walking distance/total walking time) [km/h], an average value of a stride length [cm], a walking rate [steps/min] indicating the number of steps per minute, a walking PCI [beats/m], and a falling-down prevention assistance [%]. The average speed may be, for example, a value calculated from a speed setting value of the treadmill 131 or a value calculated from the drive signal in the treadmill drive unit 211. The stride length means a distance from where one heel touches the ground to where the same heel touches the ground again. The PCI means a Physiological Cost Index (a clinical indicator of a physiological cost index). The walking PCI indicates energy efficiency during the walking. The falling-down prevention assistance [%] means a rate corresponding to the number of times of falling-down prevention assistance [times] per step, i.e., the number of times the training staff member 901 has assisted the trainee 900 to prevent him/her from falling down per step. That is, the falling-down prevention assistance [%] means a rate at which falling-down prevention assistance actions are performed for each step.

Further, examples of the sum total value include a walking time [s], a walking distance [m], the number of steps [steps], the number of times of falling-down prevention assistance [times], and a falling-down prevention assistance part and the number of times for each part [times].

Further, examples of the maximum value or the minimum value include maximum values or minimum values of a continuous walking time [s], a continuous walking distance [m], the number of continuous steps [steps], and a minimum value of a walking PCI [beats/m] (in other words, a longest distance the trainee can walk per beat). Examples of the representative value include a speed of the treadmill 131 that has been used most frequently (a representative speed [km/h]).

As described above, data supplied directly or indirectly from the detection unit such as various sensors can be included in the detection data. Further, time information such as date and time at which the detection is performed or timing information other than the time can be added to the above-described detection data.

Note that the above-described detection data is merely an example and other detection data may be used. Further, some of the above-described detection data may not be used. That is, when the detection data is used as rehabilitation data, all that the server 500 has to do is to collect at least one detection data (i.e., at least one detection data from which some information indicating or related to the motivation can be obtained).

The above-described item (3) is described.

The data related to the trainee 900 (hereinafter referred to as trainee data) indicates, for example, a property of the trainee 900. Examples of the trainee data include an age, a gender, a physique (a height, a weight, etc.) of the trainee 900, information about a symptom, a Br. Stage, an SIAS, an initial walking FIM, and a latest walking FIM. Further, the trainee data may also include a name or an ID of the trainee 900. Further, the trainee data may also include preference information indicating a preference of the trainee 900 and personality information indicating his/her personality. Further, the trainee data may include, as the FIM, an exercise item other than those related to the walking ability, and may include a recognition item. That is, the trainee data may include various data indicating physical abilities of the trainee 900. Note that part or all of the trainee data may be referred to as body information, basic information, or trainee feature information.

Note that the symptom information may include information indicating an initial symptom, a time when the symptom appears, and a current symptom. Further, it can be considered that the trainee 900 needs to perform rehabilitation mainly because of at least one of the symptoms described above. However, symptoms that are unlikely to be directly related to the rehabilitation may also be included in the symptom information. Further, the symptom information may also include a type(s) of a disease(s) (a name(s) of a disease(s) or a disorder(s)) that the subject has suffered from, such as a stroke (a cerebrovascular disorder) and a spinal cord injury. Further, the symptom information may also include, depending on the type of the disease, its classification. For example, strokes can be classified into cerebral infarction, intracranial hemorrhage (cerebral hemorrhage/subarachnoid hemorrhage), etc.

The Br. Stage means a Brunnstrom Recovery Stage in which a recovery process of a hemiplegia is divided into six stages based on the observation. The trainee data may include, of the Br. Stage, lower-limb items that are main items related to the walking training apparatus 100. The SIAS means a Stroke Impairment Assessment Set, which is an index for comprehensively evaluating dysfunction caused by a stroke. The SIAS may include a hip flexion test (Hip-Flex), a knee extension test (Knee-Ext), and a foot-pat test (Foot-Pat). Further, the SIAS may also include a lower limb tactile sensation (Touch L/E), a lower limb position sensation (Position L/E), an abdominal muscle strength (Abdominal), and a verticality test (Verticality).

The FIM (Functional Independence Measure) is one of the evaluation methods for evaluating ADL (Activities of Daily Life). In the FIM, a patient is evaluated (i.e., classified) into seven stages, i.e., one point to seven points according to the level of assistance.

For example, a walking FIM is a general index indicating the degree of recovery. A patient who can walk 50 m or longer without an assistant and without a harness (an assisting device) receives the highest score of seven points. Further, a patient who can walk less than 15 m no matter how much assistance is provided by one assistant receives the lowest score of one point. Further, when a patient can move 50 m with the minimum assistance (an assistance level of 25% or lower), he/she receives four points, whereas when a patient can move 50 m with medium assistance (an assistance level of 25% or higher), he/she receives three points. Therefore, as the recovery progresses, the walking FIM of the trainee 900 gradually increases. Note that the walking distance in the evaluation of the walking FIM is not limited to 50 m. For example, the walking distance may be 15 m.

As can be understood from the above description, the latest walking FIM used by the walking training apparatus 100 is used as not only an index indicating the physical ability of the trainee 900 but also an index indicating the degree of recovery of the trainee 900 from the start of the rehabilitation. The walking FIM is used as an index indicating the moving ability of the trainee 900 when no actuator is used, i.e., an index indicating his/her walking ability. In other words, the walking FIM is an important index in order to recognize the progress of the rehabilitation of the trainee 900. Further, the amount of change from the initial walking FIM to the latest walking FIM or its changing speed is also used as an index indicating the degree of recovery. The change speed may also be referred to as FIM efficiency. For example, the changing speed may be a value that is obtained by dividing the gain (the amount of change) up to the current FIM by, for example, the number of days of the rehabilitation, the number of elapsed days indicating a period of the rehabilitation, or the number of days the patient has been hospitalized in the case where the trainee 900 is a hospitalized patient.

Further, the walking FIM can be regarded as a score that is obtained under the condition at the time of the evaluation, such as when the patient wears the harness. In this case, information indicating the condition applied at the time of the evaluation may be added in the information indicating the walking FIM. The condition may include a condition at the time when the information is acquired, such as a wedge thickness, a used harness (e.g., with the walking assistance apparatus 120, with other walking assistance apparatuses, without any harness, etc.), a setting such as an angular setting of a part of the knee or the ankle in the harness, and/or whether the walking is performed on a level ground or on a slope. Further, in general, the walking FIM means a walking FIM in walking on a level ground. Further, level-ground walking information indicating such walking FIM may include information such as the longest distance that the patient has walked (the maximum continuous walking distance [m]) in the evaluation of the level-ground walking.

As described above, the trainee data in the above-described item (3) may include index data about rehabilitation performed by the trainee 900 by using the walking training apparatus 100, including at least one of the symptom, the physical ability, and the degree of recovery of the trainee 900. Note that in general, data that can be included in both concepts of the physical ability and the degree of recovery, such as the latest walking FIM, may be included in one of them. However, such data can also be included in both of them. Note that the same applies to all the items of the rehabilitation data. Further, data of a given item can be handled as data of one or a plurality of the above-described items (1) to (4). Further, time information such as the date and time at which the walking FIM is acquired, e.g., the measurement date of the walking FIM may be added in the above-described trainee data.

The above-described item (4) is described.

The data about the training staff member 901 (hereinafter referred to as staff data) indicates, for example, a property of the training staff member 901. The staff data includes a name or an ID, an age, a gender, a physique (a height, a weight, etc.) of the training staff member 901, a name of a hospital to which the training staff member 901 belongs, and his/her years of experience as a PT or a doctor. The staff data may include, as data related to the assistance, a value that numerically represents the timing at which the trainee 900 is assisted.

Further, in the case where a plurality of training staff members simultaneously assist the rehabilitation, the rehabilitation data may include data of the plurality of staff members. Further, each staff data may include information indicating whether the staff member is the main training staff member or an assistance training staff member. In addition to or instead of such information, each staff data may include information indicating whether the staff member is a training staff member who performs a setting operation and/or image checking in the management monitor 139, or whether or not the staff member is a training staff member who just physically supports the trainee 900 by hand.

Further, the walking training apparatus 100 may be configured so that a user (e.g., a training staff member) can enter a rehabilitation plan for the trainee 900. Further, the data of the rehabilitation plan entered as described above may also be included as staff data related to the training staff member 901 who has entered the data or as rehabilitation data belonging to other categories. Further, the walking training apparatus 100 may be configured so that, to make it possible to cope with the change of the training staff member 901, a user can enter remarks and/or messages for assisting the training of the trainee 900 in the future. Further, the data entered as described above may also be included as staff data related to the training staff member 901 who has entered the data or as rehabilitation data belonging to other categories.

The reason for including these data in the rehabilitation data is that there are possible situations where a training staff member has been able to successfully carry out the training of the trainee 900 because of the presence of remarks and/or messages given by other skilled training staff members. Further, time information such as the date and time at which the rehabilitation plan is entered, e.g., the input date and time of the rehabilitation plan may be added in the above-described staff data.

Main Features of First Embodiment

A rehabilitation system according to this embodiment may include an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a feedback (FB) unit, which are described below.

The acquisition unit acquires motivation information indicating a motivation, including at least information about a line of sight (hereinafter also referred to as line-of-sight information) of a trainee 900, for rehabilitation performed by the trainee 900 using the walking training apparatus 100. The line-of-sight information may be, for example, information indicating the direction of the line of sight or information indicating a change in the line of sight (a change in the direction, a time before the change, etc.). Note that examples of the acquisition unit and information acquired by the acquisition unit are the same as those described above for the detection data of the above-described item (2). Examples of the acquisition unit include a camera (a camera that can mainly take an image of a line of sight), the image processing unit 216, and the posture sensor 217. Examples of the detection data that can be detected as motivation information include data indicating a facial expression (an emotion) and conversation data as well as the line-of-sight data as described above.

The determination unit determines a level indicating the motivation of the trainee 900 based on the motivation information acquired by the acquisition unit. Hereinafter, this level is referred to as a motivation level. Note that the motivation level can be expressed by an index indicating the high/low (i.e., the level) of the motivation. Further, since the determination unit can make the above-described determination based on a certain estimation criterion, it can also be referred to as an estimation unit.

The above-described learning model used in the walking training apparatus 100 is executed by the level determination unit 510 a and is used to determine the motivation level of the trainee 900. That is, the above-described determination unit can be exemplified by the learning model stored in the model storage unit 521 and the level determination unit 510 a that inputs data to the learning model and receives an output result from the learning model. Therefore, such an example is described in this embodiment. Note that although an example in which the server 500 includes the determination unit is described here, some of other functions may also be provided on the server 500 side. Note that an example in which the walking training apparatus 100 includes the determination unit or an example in which the learning model is not used can also be adopted. These examples will be described in second and third embodiments, respectively.

The level determination unit 510 a is an example of an output unit (a degree output unit) that outputs a degree (i.e., a level) of the motivation of the trainee 900 based on the motivation information of the trainee 900, and a result of a determination made by the level determination unit 510 a is an example of a result output from the degree output unit. That is, the level may be an example of the degree. Further, although they are not specifically described, levels related to other values may also be examples of the degrees. The degree output unit will be described hereinafter by using the level determination unit 510 a as an example. Note that the degree output unit may be a part that calculates and outputs an index value (an index value associated with the motivation of the trainee 900) based on the motivation information of the trainee 900 as an example of the degree. For example, the level determination unit 510 a may determine the motivation level based on such an index value and output the determined motivation level.

The FB unit feeds back the motivation level determined by the level determination unit 510 a to the walking training apparatus 100. As described later, the data that is fed back may be the motivation level itself. However, the data to be fed back is not limited to the motivation level. Further, the feed-back method is not limited to any particular method. However, typical examples of the feed-back method include a notification to the trainee 900 by the training monitor 138 and a notification to the training staff member 901 by the management monitor 139. Therefore, the above-described FB unit may include a notification control unit 210 d, and may also include the display control unit 213, the management monitor 139, the training monitor 138, an audio control unit (not shown), a speaker(s), and so on.

Further, the reception of the motivation information and the transmission of the FB level may be performed by the response processing unit 510 c on the server 500 side through the communication IF 514. Alternatively, they may be performed by the input/output control unit 210 c on the walking training apparatus 100 side through the input/output unit 231.

(Learning Stage: Construction of Learning Model)

Next, a process for constructing a learning model that is used for a level determination process in this embodiment, i.e., processes performed in a learning stage (a learning phase) in the control unit 510 of the server 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a table for explaining a data set for learning used in the learning process performed in the server 500, and shows an example of parameters that are input to or output from the learning model.

The server 500 collects rehabilitation data from a plurality of walking training apparatuses 100. Then, the server 500 accumulates the collected rehabilitation data in the data accumulation unit 520. The control unit 510 constructs a trained model from an untrained model by performing pre-processing (preliminary processing) as appropriate on part or all of the information included in rehabilitation data like the one described above and performing machine learning by using the pre-processed data. Note that it is assumed that the pre-processed data includes at least motivation information. The learning unit 510 b performs the machine learning. Further, the trained model to be constructed is a model that inputs rehabilitation data including at least motivation information as described above and outputs a motivation level. Needless to say, the aforementioned rehabilitation data is collected from trainings performed by a plurality of trainees 900 in the learning stage.

Firstly, a plurality of sets of data for learning (or data for its pre-processing) are prepared in the data accumulation unit 520 of the server 500. To that end, for example, the control unit 510 accumulates rehabilitation data collected in a predetermined period as one set of learning data in the data accumulation unit 520. For example, rehabilitation data collected in one walking training session or in one practice of walking training may be prepared as one set of learning data. Note that in the following description, one set of learning data is referred to as a learning data set (also referred to simply as a data set).

Note that one walking training session is a series of trainings performed by one trainee 900. Further, after one walking training session is completed by the trainee 900, the next trainee 900 performs training in the same walking training apparatus 100. One walking training session usually takes about 20 to 60 minutes. One practice of walking training is one unit during which the trainee 900 continuously walks, included in one walking training session. One walking training session includes a plurality of walking training practices. For example, one practice takes about five minutes. Specifically, in one walking training session, the trainee 900 takes a five-minute break after every time he/she performs walking training for five minutes. That is, a walking training practice and a break are alternately repeated in one walking training session. The five-minute interval between breaks is the time for one practice. Needless to say, neither of the time for one training session and the time for one practice is limited to any particular time period. That is, they may be set as appropriate for each trainee 900.

Further, rehabilitation data collected in a period shorter than the period of one practice may be prepared as one data set, or rehabilitation data collected in a period longer than the period of one practice may be prepared as one data set.

An example of the data set is described with reference to FIG. 5. One data set contains rehabilitation data including at least training data including motivation information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a setting parameter, line-of-sight detection data, trainee data, staff data, and a motivation level are associated with each other and constitute one data set. The line-of-sight detection data is data obtained by detecting line-of-sight information and is an example of the motivation information. The trainee data and the staff data are included because these information items may also affect the result.

Further, teacher data may be, for example, data that is obtained by obtaining a motivation level from an actual result of a questionnaire and, as shown in the example in FIG. 5, associating the obtained motivation level with rehabilitation data including motivation information at that moment while using the motivation level as a correct-answer label. Alternatively, the motivation level can be obtained from a training result (e.g., FIM efficiency) instead of being obtained from the result of the questionnaire.

For each data set, for example, a person who makes the data set can determine which type (one or a plurality of types) of data is used as an output parameter, i.e., as the motivation level in the case of the example shown in FIG. 5.

Note that in FIG. 5, for simplifying the explanation, each of the setting parameter, the line-of-sight detection data, the trainee data, and the staff data is shown as one data (e.g., parameter_1). However, in reality, it may include a plurality of data. For example, the setting parameter may include two or more data such as a partial weight-supported amount, vertical positions of the handrails 130 a, and the like. The line-of-sight detection data may include line-of-sight detection data obtained from a plurality of sensors, and/or may include motivation information other than the line-of-sight detection data in the case of the example shown in FIG. 5. The trainee data may include two or more data such as an initial walking FIM, a gender, and an age of the trainee 900. The staff data may include two or more data such as an age and a gender of the training staff member 901 as described above.

Further, as described above, the data set is not limited to raw detection data and may include data that is obtained by performing a predetermined process on detection data. For example, a feature value extracted from detection data acquired in a certain period may be used as learning data. For example, the data set may include a maximum value, a minimum value, a local maximum value, a local minimum value, an average value, etc. of detection data obtained in one practice. The control unit 510 may calculate a feature value from the detection data accumulated in the data accumulation unit 520. Alternatively, feature values may be accumulated in the data accumulation unit 520. The data accumulation unit 520 may accumulate raw data of detection data and the learning model may include a layer in which a feature value is calculated.

Needless to say, when attention is paid to only one of the data sets, there is a possibility that no motivation information is included in the input rehabilitation data. However, information that is not included in the input rehabilitation data may be regarded as information indicating the same value as that of the immediately preceding information and the same value may be included (i.e., considered to be included) in the input rehabilitation. Further, the rehabilitation data may be data about rehabilitation that is performed by the trainee 900 using the walking training apparatus 100 while being assisted by the training staff member 901 as required. Therefore, an example of a data set including staff data and trainee data has been shown. This is because the motivation and the degree of change in the motivation may change according to the assistance (including communication) and/or according to the feature of the trainee.

The learning unit 510 b generates (constructs) a trained model by using the teacher data prepared as described above. Note that the type of the untrained model to be trained by the learning unit 510 b and its algorithm are not limited to any particular types and algorithms. However, a neural network can be used as the algorithm and, in particular, a deep neural network (DNN) using multiple hidden layers may be used. As the DNN, for example, a feedforward (forward propagation type) neural network such as a multilayer perceptron (MLP) employing an error back propagation method can be used. Note that as described above, a publicly-known algorism can be used for the learning method used by the learning unit 510 b, and it is briefly described hereinafter while omitting detailed description thereof.

Input parameters input to the untrained model in the learning unit 510 b and output parameters output from the untrained model will be briefly described hereinafter by using an example in which the learning unit 510 b generates a trained model by using the MLP. Each of the input parameters corresponds to a respective one of nodes in the input layer and each of the output parameters corresponds to a respective one of nodes in the output layer (i.e., objective variables). Each output data can be used as an index indicating the motivation level. For example, when the motivation levels are expressed by values 0 to 9, the number of nodes in the output layer may be ten. Note that as described above, the untrained model includes not only a completely untrained model but also a model under a learning process. Further, the trained model indicates a model that can be used for an actual operation.

When a forward propagation neural network such as the MLP is used, the learning unit 510 b can input a data set that is obtained at the start of the rehabilitation or at each time point during the rehabilitation as one data set. However, the learning unit 510 b can input a data set that is statistically obtained over a predetermined time as one data set at predetermined intervals. Alternatively, the learning unit 510 b can input, as one data set, a data set statistically obtained over a predetermined period that starts from each time point (a time period longer than a unit time) at each time point. Further, in any case, one data set may be a data set that is statistically obtained over a certain period, such as over one step or over one walking cycle. In this case, the data set may be input every time the aforementioned certain period starts.

When the learning unit 510 b generates the trained model, it inputs each of a plurality of sets of teacher data to the untrained model an appropriate number of times. For example, the learning unit 510 b generates a trained model by using some of the sets of teacher data (training data for leaning) and checks the accuracy of the generated trained model by using the remaining sets as test data. As a result of the checking, if the accuracy is satisfactory, it is implemented as it is. On the other hand, if the accuracy is poor, some process, such as changing the pre-processing or performing tuning, is performed and then the trained model is generated and evaluated again. Note that it is also possible to prepare both evaluation data for checking the accuracy and test data for testing the final accuracy in advance. Further, it is possible to generate, according to the item of the data set that is input when the trained model is generated, the trained model in which that item is taken into consideration.

Further, hyper parameters to be tuned are not limited to any particular parameters. Examples of the hyper parameters to be tuned include the number of layers of the neural network, the number of units (number of nodes) in each layer, the number of times of iterative learning using the same data set (number of epochs), and the number of input data to be passed to the model at a time (a batch size). Further, examples of the hyper parameters to be tuned include a learning coefficient and a type of an activation function. Note that the learning coefficient is also referred to as a learning rate and may be as a value for determining how much the weight of each layer is changed at a time.

Through the above-described processes, a trained model that outputs a motivation level can be constructed. As a result, as will be described later, in the walking training apparatus 100 using the above-described trained model, the motivation level can be fed back by using acquired data as input parameters. Further, the training staff member 901 can assist the trainee by using the fed-back motivation level.

Next, examples of other kinds of learning models will be shown. Some of the rehabilitation data may be input as image data to a feature extraction unit including, for example, a convolution layer and a pooling layer in a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). Examples of the image data include image data that is obtained by photographing the trainee 900 so that his/her line of sight or posture can be recognized. In such a case where the feature extraction unit is provided, a result of extraction of features from the image data may be input to all the connection layers in parallel with other input parameters.

Further, as the neural network, for example, a neural network having a recursive structure such as an RNN (Recurrent Neural Network) may be used. Further, the RNN may be a neural network that is extended to include an LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) block (also referred to simply as an LSTM). In the case of using a recursive model having the RNN, for example, one data set may include time-series data such as detection data so that the learning unit 510 b successively inputs rehabilitation data at each time point in one practice. That is, one data set (one learning data set) may include time-series log data. Further, one data set may include feature values extracted from the log data as described above, or may include image data obtained by performing data processing on time-series detection data.

Further, when a recursive model having the RNN is used, for example, the learning unit 510 b can input a data set statistically obtained over a predetermined time as one data set at predetermined intervals. Alternatively, even when a recursive model is used, the learning unit 510 b can input, as one data set, a data set statistically obtained over a predetermined period that starts from each time point (a time period longer than a unit time) at each time point. Further, one data set may be a data set that is statistically obtained over a certain period, such as over one step or over one walking cycle. In this case, the data set may be input every time the aforementioned certain period starts. Note that the category of such statistical processing may include the above-described process for obtaining image data by performing data processing on time-series detection data.

In this way, it is possible to construct a trained model that outputs, in a timely manner, a current motivation level that is predicted from the past only through the period of one data set such as the aforementioned predetermined time and the period obtained from the number of storage steps based on the current state and a past state that is a little earlier than the current state. Then, as will be described later, the walking training apparatus 100 using the above-described trained model successively inputs data acquired during the rehabilitation as input parameters and feeds back the motivation level, so that the training staff member 901 can assist the trainee by using the fed-back motivation level.

(Operation Stage: Use of Learning Model)

Next, processes performed in the operation stage (the inference phase) in the walking training apparatus 100 and the server 500 will be described. As described above, the walking training apparatus 100 is configured so as to be able to access a trained model, so that it can use the trained model. Note that the trained model may also be referred to as a trained module. In the operation stage, in general, the walking training apparatus 100 and the server 500 connected thereto cooperate with each other. That is, they serve as a rehabilitation support system and perform a rehabilitation support process.

The walking training apparatus 100 may include an input/output control unit 210 c, an input/output unit 231, a camera (a camera that can mainly take an image of a line of sight) (not shown), an image processing unit 216, and a posture sensor 217 in order to operate the above-described trained model. Further, for the operation, the walking training apparatus 100 may also include a notification control unit 210 d, a display control unit 213, a management monitor 139, a training monitor 138, an audio control unit, a speaker(s), and so on.

Meanwhile, on the server 500 side, the level determination unit 510 a inputs/outputs information through the response processing unit 510 c, and thereby performs a response process by operating the trained model stored in the model storage unit 521. The response processing unit 510 c inputs/outputs information through the communication IF 514.

An example of the rehabilitation support process performed in the rehabilitation system including the walking training apparatus 100 and the server 500 will be described in a concrete manner with reference to FIG. 6 and the like. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the rehabilitation support process.

Firstly, the acquisition unit such as the camera 140 (a camera that can mainly take an image of a line of sight), the image processing unit 216, and the posture sensor 217 acquires data including motivation information including at least line-of-sight information of the trainee 900 (step S1). This data corresponds to data (rehabilitation data) that could become an input parameter to an untrained model, and becomes an input parameter to a trained model in the operation stage. This data may be, for example, data acquired at each time point during the rehabilitation, or data acquired at the start of the rehabilitation. The input/output control unit 210 c outputs the acquired data to the server 500 through the input/output unit 231.

The response processing unit 510 c of the server 500 receives this data through the communication IF 514 and starts a response process. The response processing unit 510 c passes the received data to the level determination unit 510 a. The level determination unit 510 a analyzes this data, divides it into a plurality of item data, and outputs each of the item data as a respective one of input parameters in an input layer in the trained model stored in the model storage unit 521.

The level determination unit 510 a performs calculation by operating the trained model, receives each output parameter from an output layer, and determines a level corresponding to the highest (highest likelihood) value among the output parameters as a motivation level of the trainee 900 (step S2).

Further, the level determination unit 510 a may reduce a weight that is used for the determination of information (information including motivation information) acquired in a predetermined period after a setting parameter in the walking training apparatus 100 is changed. Note that this weight may be an example of a weight that is used when a degree of information acquired after the aforementioned predetermined period is determined by the degree output unit.

For example, the weighting is reduced in a period in which the speed of the treadmill 131 changes. This is because a trainee 900 often feels as if the training becomes difficult immediately after a setting is changed, and hence his/her motivation often changes. Therefore, the weighting is reduced in order to cope with such situations. The process for reducing the weight can be performed by the level determination unit 510 a or the aforementioned acquisition unit as a pre-process before the data is input to the trained model. Alternatively, the process for reducing the weight can be carried out simply by including the setting parameter in the input parameter in the learning stage and also including the setting parameter in the input parameter in the operation stage.

Further, the above-described acquisition unit may separately acquire, as motivation information, information in a period during which the trainee is performing the rehabilitation and information in a period other than the period during which the trainee 900 is performing the rehabilitation (i.e., during a preparation or a break). Further, the above-described acquisition unit may separately acquire information during the preparation and information during the break. It is expected that the motivation changes depending on the period. Therefore, the acquisition unit may separately acquire information in order to cope with such changes.

Further, in this case, the level determination unit 510 a or the above-described acquisition unit may be configured so as to change the weighting of the motivation information according to the above-described period. The process for changing the weight can be carried out by the level determination unit 510 a or the above-described acquisition unit as a pre-process before the data is input to the trained model. Alternatively, the processing for changing the weight can be substituted (i.e., carried out) by including period information (information indicating that it is during rehabilitation, during a preparation, during a break, etc.) in the input parameter in the learning stage and also including the period information in the input parameter in the operation stage.

In this way, for example, it is possible to perform a process in which the weight of information acquired during a period other than the rehabilitation-performing period (i.e., during a preparation or a break) is increased, and/or a process in which the weight of information acquired during a preparation is changed from that of information acquired during a break. In particular, during a preparation or a break, the training staff member 901 is often in a period in which he/she has a conversation with the trainee 900. Further, the training staff member 901 talks with the trainee 900 about the state of the training performed by the trainee 900 more often during a break than during a preparation. In reality, assuming that the period of the walking training is one hour per day, the actual walking time may be, for example, 20 minutes, and the training staff member 901 and the trainee 900 often have conversations during the remaining period, i.e., during the preparation and the break. Accordingly, it is useful (or meaningful) to separate these periods from each other and perform a process for changing a weight based on the separated period. Further, the level of a motivation may be distinguished from the degree of tiredness. For example, information about them may be observed in a time-series manner and the weight may be reduced as the training proceeds.

The response processing unit 510 c obtains the motivation level from the level determination unit 510 a in a step S12, and returns it to the walking training apparatus 100 side through the communication IF 514. The returned information may be a command to the walking training apparatus 100. However, for example, when the motivation level is the same as the result of the previous determination, no command may be returned. Note that the command can be generated by, for example, reading a command corresponding to the output parameter from a group of commands stored in advance. Further, the command may simply indicate information indicating the output parameter (e.g., information indicating the ordinal position of the node in the output layer). The response processing unit 510 c transmits the generated command to the walking training apparatus 100 side through the communication IF 514.

In the walking training apparatus 100, the input/output control unit 210 c receives the transmitted command through the input/output unit 231 and passes the received command to the notification control unit 210 d. The notification control unit 210 d performs notification control corresponding to this command for the display control unit 213 or an audio control unit (not shown). Notification controls each of which corresponds to a respective one of the commands in the command group that could be transmitted from the server 500 side may be stored in the notification control unit 210 d in advance. The notification control unit 210 d feeds back the motivation level indicated by the command (step S3). For example, the notification control unit 210 d makes the display control unit 213 output, to the management monitor 139, a display control signal for displaying, for example, an image corresponding to the command on the management monitor 139. For example, the notification control unit 210 d makes the aforementioned audio control unit output, to a speaker(s), an audio control signal for outputting a sound corresponding to the command from the speaker(s).

Through the above-described processes, in the walking training apparatus 100, the motivation level can be fed back by using acquired data as an input parameter, and the training staff member 901 can assist the trainee by using the fed-back motivation level. Further, since the trained model exists in the server 500, a plurality of walking training apparatuses 100 can be operated by using the common trained model.

Next, an example of feedback performed in the FB unit exemplified by the notification control unit 210 d and the like will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 and the like. FIGS. 7 to 9 show examples of images presented to the training staff member 901 in the rehabilitation support process shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 shows an example of an image presented to the trainee 900 in the rehabilitation support process shown in FIG. 6.

The FB unit may include a first notification unit that notifies a motivation level to the training staff member 901 who assists the trainee 900. This first notification unit can be exemplified by the notification control unit 210 d and the management monitor 139. That is, a value or a mark indicating the motivation level may be included in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image displayed on the management monitor 139.

In a GUI image 139 a shown in FIG. 7, a pop-up image 139 b is superimposed on an image displayed on the management monitor 139 during the rehabilitation. The pop-up image 139 b is displayed when the walking training apparatus 100 receives, from the server 500, a command indicating that the motivation level is “3” among levels 0 to 9. When the motivation level is “3”, the notification control unit 210 d displays this information and suggests that the walking speed be lowered by two levels. As described above, for example, the notification control unit 210 d proposes to decrease the speed of the treadmill 131 (lower the level of difficulty and thereby increase an achievement rate) in order to recover the state in which the motivation level has decreased below a certain threshold. Further, each of the motivation levels may be displayed in a different color. Note that the image on which the pop-up image 139 b is superimposed is an image that is displayed immediately before the above-described feedback, and the content included in that image is not limited to any particular contents.

In a GUI image 139 c shown in FIG. 8, a pop-up image 139 d is superimposed on an image displayed on the management monitor 139 during the rehabilitation. The pop-up image 139 d is displayed when the walking training apparatus 100 receives, from the server 500, a command indicating that the motivation level is “7” among the levels 0 to 9. When the motivation level is “7”, the notification control unit 210 d displays this information and suggests that the swinging assistance level be lowered by one. Further, each of the motivation levels may be displayed in a different color. Note that the image on which the pop-up image 139 d is superimposed is an image that is displayed immediately before the above-described feedback, and the content included in that image is not limited to any particular contents.

Further, the above-described first notification unit can also be formed by a speaker(s) and an audio control unit that performs control so as to output a voice or a sound through the speaker(s) (not shown), and can output a voice or a sound indicating the value of the motivation level from the speaker(s). However, the aforementioned speaker(s) may be, for example, a wireless earphone(s) (e.g., a bone-conduction-type earphone(s)) attached to an ear(s) or the like of the training staff member 901 in order to prevent the trainee 900 from hearing the sound or the voice. Needless to say, the first notification unit may be configured so as to output a voice or a sound in addition to displaying an image.

Further, as shown in the example of the suggestion of a level change shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the FB unit may include a second notification unit that notifies the training staff member 901 of information urging him/her to change a setting parameter in the walking training apparatus 100. The setting parameter may be, for example, only a parameter indicating the degree of difficulty, or may be any of the parameters of the above-described item (1). The second notification unit can be exemplified by the notification control unit 210 d and the management monitor 139, and can also be exemplified by an audio control unit and a speaker(s). In the latter case, in particular, a configuration in which the trainee 900 is prevented from hearing the voice or the sound as described above may be adopted. Needless to say, each of the second notification unit and later-described third to sixth notification units may also be configured so as to output a voice or a sound in addition to displaying an image.

Further, as shown in the example of the suggestion of a level change shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the FB unit may include a third notification unit that notifies the training staff member 901 of information urging him/her to change a setting parameter when the motivation level changes beyond a predetermined range. The setting parameter may be, for example, only a parameter indicating the degree of difficulty, or may be any of the above-described various parameters. Further, the change beyond the predetermined range may mean, for example, a change in the motivation level in which the motivation level, which is in the range of the levels 0 to 9, has changed from the previous value or from a value of a predetermined period earlier by three levels or more. The third notification unit can be exemplified by the notification control unit 210 d and the management monitor 139, and can also be exemplified by an audio control unit and a speaker(s). In the latter case, in particular, a configuration in which the trainee 900 is prevented from hearing the voice or the sound as described above may be adopted.

Further, the FB unit may also include a fourth notification unit that notifies the training staff member 901 assisting the trainee 900 of a type of conversation corresponding to the motivation level. This fourth notification unit can be exemplified by the notification control unit 210 d and the management monitor 139. Although this notification is not shown in the drawings, for example, a sentence for urging the training staff member 901 to have a conversation may be shown in a pop-up image similar to the pop-up image 139 b shown in FIG. 7. Regarding the sentence, when the motivation level is four or lower among the levels 0 to 9, for example, a sentence “Please propose to relax the setting a little” may be shown. Further, when the motivation level is five or higher, a sentence “Please encourage the trainee to continue at the current pace” may be shown. Needless to say, the sentence is not limited to these examples. Further, the fourth notification unit may be exemplified by an audio control unit and a speaker(s). However, in this case, in particular, a configuration in which the trainee 900 is prevented from hearing the voice or the sound as described above may be adopted.

Further, the FB unit may also include an accumulation unit that accumulates data indicating a time-series change of the motivation level in a log, and a fifth notification unit that notifies the training staff member 901 of the log. The accumulation unit may include, for example, a storage device such as an HDD or SSD disposed in or connected to the overall control unit 210 as its accumulation area. This fifth notification unit can be exemplified by the notification control unit 210 d and the management monitor 139.

A GUI image 139 e shown in FIG. 9 is an image that is displayed (i.e., superimposed) by selecting a predetermined button on the image that is displayed on the management monitor 139 during the rehabilitation. Needless to say, the GUI image 139 e may be displayed as a pop-up image like those shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The GUI image 139 e includes a calendar in which motivation levels, which are expressed by levels 0 to 9, of the trainee 900 performing the training are shown in respective dates. Further, a change in the level within one day may be expressed by an arrow indicating, for example, a change from “3” to “1”.

Even the motivation of the same trainee 900 may increase or decrease day by day. In particular, the motivation of a trainee 900 who simultaneously develops a depressed state and a manic state drastically changes. However, by the above-described display of the calendar, the training staff member 901 can keep track of the changes in the motivation of the trainee 900. Further, each of the motivation levels may be displayed in a different color. Further, the displayed calendar is not limited to the above-shown example. For example, the calendar may be a weekly calendar, a calendar on a multi-week basis, or a calendar on a multi-month basis.

Needless to say, the check of the motivation level is not limited to those using the display of calendars. By the accumulation and the notification of the log as described above, the training staff member 901 or the like can peruse (or browse) the accumulated data in the log and make a training plan for the trainee 900 based on the log. Further, the fifth notification unit may be exemplified by an audio control unit and a speaker(s). However, in this case, in particular, a configuration in which the trainee 900 is prevented from hearing the voice or the sound as described above may be adopted.

Further, the FB unit may also include a sixth notification unit that notifies the trainee 900 of the motivation level or information corresponding to the motivation level. This sixth notification unit can be exemplified by the notification control unit 210 d and the training monitor 138. Further, the sixth notification unit may be configured so as to notify the trainee 900 of the information corresponding to the motivation level, rather than notifying the trainee 900 of the motivation level itself.

In a GUI image 138 a shown in FIG. 10, a pop-up image 138 b is superimposed on the image that is displayed on the training monitor 138 during the rehabilitation. The pop-up image 138 b may be displayed when, for example, the motivation level is four or lower among the levels 0 to 9, and may include a sentence for raising the motivation such as a sentence “Should the setting be relaxed a little?”. Further, for example, when the motivation level is five or higher, the pop-up image may include a sentence for encouraging the trainee to maintain the current state, such as a sentence “Please keep working at the current pace”. Needless to say, the sentence is not limited to these examples. Further, the sixth notification unit can also be exemplified by an audio control unit and a speaker(s). Such a configuration is advantageous because it is possible to notify the trainee 900 by a voice or a sound even in a situation in which, for example, the motivation of the trainee 900 is low and he/she looks downward.

Note that the image on which the pop-up image 138 b is superimposed is an image that is displayed immediately before the above-described feedback, and in principle, the content included in that image is not limited to any particular contents. Note that as the GUI image 138 a, an example of an image that is shown when the gait of the trainee 900 is normal is shown.

A status area 310 is provided in the uppermost part of the GUI image 138 a, in which status information in a training trial is displayed. The status information includes a duration of the trial, a walking distance, a training level, a score indicator, and so on. The duration of the trial is a time from the start of the trial and is measured by a timer (not shown). The walking distance is measured (i.e., calculated) based on a cumulative amount of rotations of the belt 132 rotated by the treadmill drive unit 211. The training level indicates the level of difficulty of the training trial and is updated every time it meets a predefined criterion. The level of difficulty of the training trial is defined by the rotational speed of the belt 132 and the amount of assistance by the walking assistance apparatus 120. The training level at the start of the training is set by the training staff member 901, who is a therapist or the like, according to the state of the trainee 900. The score indicator is increased or decreased according to the addition or the subtraction of the acquired points.

A camera image 320 is embedded and displayed in an area of the GUI image 138 a other than the status area 310. The camera image 320 is an image of the whole body of the trainee 900 taken by the camera 140 and is displayed as, for example, real-time images having a frame rate of 60 fps. The trainee 900 can check his/her appearance during the training trial as real-time images. Note that since the trainee 900 faces the training monitor 138, the camera image 320 may be inverted in the left/right direction for easier visual recognition as shown in the figure.

Each of a trunk line 330 corresponding to the inclination of the trunk of the trainee obtained by calculation or the like and a swinging index 340 indicating a range in which swings of the trunk line 330 are allowed is superimposed on the camera image 320 as a CG (Computer Graphics) image. In this example, the trunk line 330 is represented by a CG image having a straight-pole shape extending from a base point 330 a near the heel of the diseased leg of the trainee 900 to a point near the shoulder thereof. The end point 330 b near the shoulder is depicted somewhat in a decorated manner so that the swings of the trunk can be visually recognized with ease.

When the trainee 900 stands upright on the belt 132, the trunk line 330 is drawn perpendicular to the surface of the belt 132 from the base point 330 a to the end point 330 b. Further, when the trunk of the trainee 900 swings as he/she walks, the trunk line 330 swings around the base point 330 a according to the angle of the inclination. Note that since the base point 330 a is set at a place near the heel of the diseased leg, the whole trunk line 330 moves according to the movement of the diseased leg (e.g., according to whether the diseased leg is in a stance state or a swing state). For the trainee 900 performing the walking training, the inclination of the trunk, which is regarded as a bad condition, is mainly caused by the state of the diseased leg. Therefore, by depicting the trunk line 330 while using the point near the heel of the diseased leg as the base point, the depicted trunk line 330 satisfactorily agrees with the feeling in regard to the recognition of the relation of cause and effect. Further, by depicting the trunk line 330 from the point near the heel to the point near the shoulder, the trunk line 330 is depicted as a relatively large object in the display area of the training monitor 138, thus improving the visibility.

The swinging index 340 is depicted in a fan-shape with its pivot being the base point 330 a of the trunk line 330. The arc part of the fan-shape is depicted so as to extend along the swinging direction of the end point 330 b of the trunk line 330. Further, the central angle of the fan-shape is determined according to the range in which the swings of the trunk line 330 are allowed. The swinging index 340 may be depicted in, for example, a semitransparent manner in which the swinging index 340 is lightly colored. By depicting the swinging index 340 in the semitransparent manner, the image of the trainee 900 is not significantly hidden by the swinging index 340. Therefore, the trainee 900 can check his/her own state more accurately. The range in which the swings are allowed is defined in advance for each training level. The range is set to a wide range when the training level is low, and is gradually narrowed as the training level rises.

By depicting the swinging index 340 as a fan-shape as described above, the trainee 900 can recognize that his/her gait is one that is allowed in the training trial when the trunk line 330, which swings according to the moving leg, remains inside the fan-shape. Note that the trainee 900 can recognize whether the current inclination of the trunk is within the allowable range by, for example, just observing whether the end point 330 b is located on the fan-shaped arc without closely observing the whole trunk line 330. The above-described depiction is convenient for the trainee 900, who frequently looks at the assistant and/or at his/her feet during the training trial.

(Effect)

As described above, in the rehabilitation system according to this embodiment, when the trainee 900 performs rehabilitation by using the walking training apparatus 100, it is possible to perform feedback according to the motivation level, such as providing a notification of the motivation level. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the training staff member 901 can give rehabilitation support while taking the motivation of the trainee 900 into consideration. For example, according to this embodiment, the training staff member 901 can give rehabilitation support by changing a setting or giving an encouraging talk while making a determination based on the motivation level of the trainee 900. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of the walking training apparatus 100, since the training staff member 901 often stands behind the trainee 900, it is impossible to directly observe the facial expression of the trainee 900 and hence impossible to infer the motivation of the trainee 900. However, in this embodiment, the training staff member 901 can recognize the motivation level and thereby give rehabilitation support according to the motivation.

(Supplemental Remarks on Method)

In this embodiment, as can be understood from the above description, it is also possible to provide a method for supporting rehabilitation (a method for operating the walking training apparatus 100) including a below-described acquisition step like the one shown in the steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 6, an outputting step (a determination step or the like), and an FB step. In the acquisition step, motivation information indicating a motivation, including at least line-of-sight information of a trainee, for rehabilitation performed by the trainee using the walking training apparatus 100 is acquired. In the determination step, a motivation level of the trainee is determined based on the motivation information acquired in the acquisition step. Note that in the outputting step, a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee is output based on the motivation information acquired in the acquisition step. In the FB step, the degree output in the outputting step, such as the level determined in the determination step, is fed back to the walking training apparatus 100.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, an example in which the server 500 includes the learning unit 510 b and the model storage unit 521, and the server 500 generates a trained model is shown. In this embodiment, the learning unit and the model storage unit may be provided on the walking training apparatus 100 side (e.g., in the overall control unit 210). Further, in the first embodiment, regarding the operation stage, an example in which the trained model is provided in the server 500, and the walking training apparatus 100 transmits rehabilitation data to the server 500 and receives a motivation level from the server 500 is shown. In this embodiment, the trained model is incorporated on the walking training apparatus 100 side (e.g., in a storage unit in the overall control section 210), and a degree output unit such as a level determination unit is also provided on the walking training apparatus 100 side. Therefore, the walking training apparatus 100 may include a storage unit that stores the trained model. That is, in this embodiment, the walking training apparatus 100 includes a degree output unit that outputs a degree indicating a motivation, such as a determination unit that determines a motivation level.

By the above-described configuration, a rehabilitation support system according to this embodiment needs to include only the walking training apparatus 100. However, in the case where the learning unit is provided on the walking training apparatus 100 side and performs learning therein, it is desirable to configure the rehabilitation support system so that it can collect rehabilitation data from other walking training apparatuses in order to increase the amount of rehabilitation data collected in the learning stage. Further, although it is not specifically described, the various examples described above in the first embodiment can also be applied to this embodiment and the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be achieved. Further, a rehabilitation support program according to this embodiment is a program for causing a computer (e.g., the overall control unit 210) of the walking training apparatus 100 to perform the above-described acquisition step, the outputting step (such as the determination step), and the FB step.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and the like. Although the detailed description of a rehabilitation support system according to this embodiment is omitted, it may include a rehabilitation support apparatus such as the walking training apparatus 100 described in the first and second embodiments. Further, although it is not specifically described, the various examples described above in the first and second embodiments can also be applied to this embodiment, except for the following differences. Further, effects similar to those described above can be obtained.

In this embodiment, no learning model is used to output a degree such as a determination made in the determination unit. In this case, the learning and the part necessary therefor as described in the first and second embodiments are unnecessary. For a reference purpose, it is briefly explained. A degree output unit such as a determination unit in this embodiment may be provided in the overall control unit 210. Therefore, the following description will be given by using the determination unit as an example. Further, this determination unit may process each of acquired motivation information pieces of one or a plurality of items by using a threshold, determine a motivation level by processing the number of items that have exceeded the threshold by using a threshold, and output the determined motivation level.

Further, the determination unit in this embodiment may also be configured so as to reduce a weight used for a determination of information that is acquired by the above-described acquisition unit in a predetermined period after a setting parameter in the walking training apparatus 100 is changed. In this case, the determination unit reduces the weight of the motivation information acquired in this predetermined period. For example, the weighting is reduced in a period in which the speed of the treadmill 131 changes. This is because the trainee 900 often feels as if the training becomes difficult immediately after a setting is changed

Further, the acquisition unit according to this embodiment may also separately acquire, as motivation information, information in a period during which the trainee is performing the rehabilitation and information in a period other than the period during which the trainee 900 is performing the rehabilitation. Further, the above-described acquisition unit may separately acquire information during the preparation and information during the break. Further, in this case, the determination unit or the acquisition unit may be configured so as to change the weighting of the motivation information according to the above-mentioned period. Further, the level of a motivation may be distinguished from the degree of tiredness. For example, information about them may be observed in a time-series manner and the weight may be reduced as the training proceeds.

Further, even in this embodiment, the determination unit does not have to be provided on the walking training apparatus 100 side as in the case of the second embodiment. That is, it may be provided in the server 500 as a level determination unit 510 a as in the case of the first embodiment. However, in this case, the model storage unit 521 is unnecessary. That is, the level determination unit 510 a determines a motivation level by performing the above-described process using a threshold without using the trained model.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 and the like. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server in a rehabilitation support system according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12 shows an example of an image presented to a trainee in a rehabilitation support process according to this embodiment. Although the detailed description of a rehabilitation support system according to this embodiment is omitted, it may include a rehabilitation support apparatus such as the walking training apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment. Further, although it is not specifically described, the various examples described above in the first to third embodiments can also be applied to this embodiment, except for the following differences. Further, effects similar to those described above can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the configuration of the server 500 shown in FIG. 4, a game(s) (a program(s) of a game(s)) capable of presenting a state of the training of the trainee 900 to the trainee 900 may be incorporated in a server 501 in an executable state. Therefore, the server 501 includes a game storage unit 522, and may load the game through the control unit 510 and execute the loaded game. The input/output of the game is performed by having the response processing unit 510 c communicate with the walking training apparatus 100 through the communication IF 514. In this way, it is possible to introduce a game-playing feeling into the walking training.

Further, in this embodiment, the FB unit can change a displaying form in the game according to the determined motivation level. In this case, the FB unit can be exemplified by the input/output control unit 210 c and the input/output unit 231 on the walking training apparatus 100 side, and the game storage unit 522, the response processing unit 510 c and the communication IF 514 on the server 501 side.

For example, in a GUI image 138 c shown in FIG. 12, a status area 310 c is displayed in place of the status area 310 in the GUI image 138 a shown in FIG. 10. Note that the score indicator indicates names of stations (e.g., train stations) (in this example, Start S, ST1, ST2 and Goal G). Further, it is indicated that the trainee is currently in the ST2. This feature provides a game-playing feeling to the walking training and is an example of a travelling game in which the user (i.e., the trainee) proceeds through stations (e.g., train stations). Further, in addition, it is possible to display (i.e., superimpose) a pop-up image 138 d showing a conversation with the trainee 900 on the GUI image 138 c. By changing the displaying form according to the motivation level, it is possible to enhance the motivation by using, for example, coloring according to the motivation level.

Further, the FB unit can perform a game that differs according to the determined motivation level. Therefore, in the server 501, a plurality of games are incorporated in the game storage unit 522 so that they can be executed by the control unit 510. In this case, the FB unit can be exemplified by the input/output control unit 210 c and the input/output unit 231 on the walking training apparatus 100 side, and the game storage unit 522, the response processing unit 510 c and the communication IF 514 on the server 501 side. For example, although not shown in the drawings, it is possible to use, as the score indicator in the status area 310 c shown in FIG. 12, one in which names of various world heritages are shown so that as if the trainee goes around through these world heritages. It is possible to enhance the motivation by changing the game according to the motivation level, e.g., by employing a type of game according to the motivation level.

Further, as described above, the third embodiment can also be applied in this embodiment. That is, in the rehabilitation support system according to this embodiment, all the functions described above may be provided on the walking training apparatus 100 side, such as including a game storage unit that stores games so that they can be executed by the overall control unit 210 on the walking training apparatus 100 side as in the case of the game storage unit 522. In this way, it is possible to construct the rehabilitation support system according to this embodiment by using the walking training apparatus 100 alone.

Alternative Example

Each of the above-described embodiments is described by using an example in which the trainee 900 is a hemiplegic patient who has a disorder in one of his/her legs. However, the walking training apparatus 100 can also be applied to a patient whose legs are both paralyzed. In this case, the patient does training with walking assistance apparatuses 120 attached to both legs. In this case, abnormal walking may be evaluated for each of the diseased legs. The degree of recovery can be individually determined for each diseased leg by independently evaluating abnormal walking for each leg.

Further, although it is not shown in the drawings, the walking training apparatus may be an apparatus that is not equipped with the treadmill 131 of the walking training apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, so that the trainee 900 can actually move in the space surrounded by the frame 130. In this case, the frame 130 may be formed so that it has a large length in the traveling direction. Further, it may adopt a configuration in which the harness pulling unit 112, the front pulling unit 135, and the rear pulling unit 137 are moved along guide rails by a motor(s) (not shown) as the trainee 900 moves. Since the trainee 900 actually moves relative to the floor surface, he/she can feel a sense of accomplishment of rehabilitation training more effectively. Needless to say, the walking training apparatus is not limited to these configuration examples.

Further, each of the above-described embodiments is described on the assumption that the training staff member 901 is a human being. However, as a substitute, a non-human training assistant (e.g., a mechanical or artificial training assistant) may be employed. As the artificial training assistant, there are various types of assistants such as a humanoid robot, a voice assistant program, and a display assistant program. As an example in which a voice assistant program assists the trainee by voice, it is possible to give encouraging talks such as “Please lean your upper body further to the right”, “Please hold the handrails”, and “Please slow down your walking speed”.

When the training assistant is a computer program, it can be incorporated in the walking training apparatus 100 in an executable manner. Alternatively, the program may also be incorporated, in an executable manner, in a portable terminal such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a mobile PC, or an external server capable of communicating with the walking training apparatus 100. Further, the artificial training assistant may also include a program with artificial intelligence (an AI program).

Further, a plurality of artificial training assistants may be made available when walking training is performed in the walking training apparatus 100, and each of them may be separately managed in a distinguishable manner. That is, even when the training assistant is an artificial training assistant, the training assistant can be distinguished from other training assistants as in the case of the human training staff member.

Further, when an artificial training assistant is used, examples of the data (the assistant data) related to the artificial training assistant corresponding to the data related to the training staff member 901 in the above-described item (4) include the below-shown data. The examples include functions (such as a voice assist function and an assistance function using a video display) of the artificial training assistant (the program), and a name and a version of the program. Further, when the program is a type of an AI program that learns during its operation, the examples include a learning algorithm, a degree of learning, a learning time, and the number of times of learning.

Further, in the case where a plurality of training assistants (irrespective of whether the assistant is a human assistant or a non-human assistant) simultaneously assist the rehabilitation, the rehabilitation data may include assistant data of the plurality of assistants as in the case of the plurality of human training staff members as described above. Further, each assistant data may also include information indicating whether the assistant is a main training assistant or an assistance training assistant. In addition to or instead of the aforementioned information, each assistant data may include information indicating what kind of assistance is provided.

A notification will be described. For example, when a notification to an artificial training assistant, rather than the human assistant such as the training staff member 901, is required, the notification control unit 210 d may notify the artificial training assistant. The notification may be directly provided through communication. Alternatively, the notification may be provided by a video image or a voice as in the case of the human assistant and the video or voice notification may be detected by the artificial training assistant. Further, the artificial training assistant may be configured so as to be able to change the setting or the like of the walking training apparatus 100 through communication or a direct-touch operation. In this way, even the artificial training assistant can give rehabilitation support while taking the motivation of the trainee into consideration.

Further, a rehabilitation support apparatus described in each embodiment may be formed as a rehabilitation support system by using a plurality of apparatuses. Similarly, the walking training apparatus may be formed as a walking training system by using a plurality of apparatuses, and the training support apparatus may be formed as a training support system by using a plurality of apparatuses. Further, for example, a server (a server apparatus) described in each embodiment may not be equipped with the learning apparatus but may be equipped only with the trained model. Further, the server may be equipped with all of or only some of the functions of the learning apparatus. Further, a server apparatus described in each embodiment may include at least some of the functions and parts described as the functions and parts of the rehabilitation support apparatus.

Further, as described above, a rehabilitation support apparatus according to each embodiment may be an apparatus for supporting other kinds of rehabilitation, i.e., rehabilitation other than the walking training, or for supporting training other than the rehabilitation. In such a case, the acquisition unit, the determination unit, the FB unit, and the like in each embodiment may be applied to such apparatuses. For example, for the learning model according to each embodiment, it is possible to use input parameters and output parameters corresponding to the type of the rehabilitation or the type of the training. Examples of the training other than the rehabilitation include exercises such as walking and running and training. Further, a training support apparatus corresponding to the type of the training can be used. Further, the index data in the case of the training other than the rehabilitation may be data indicating the degree of an improvement in a physical function of the trainee instead of the degree of recovery of the trainee. The degree of an improvement in a physical function may include an improvement in a muscle strength by an exercise or the like and/or an improvement in endurance. Further, even when the training is the rehabilitation, the index data may be data indicating the degree of an improvement in a physical function of the trainee. In this case, the degree of an improvement in a physical function may include the degree of recovery by the rehabilitation or the like. Further, in the case of the training other than the rehabilitation, the rehabilitation data can be referred to as training data.

Further, the above-described rehabilitation support apparatus or the server apparatus may have a hardware configuration including, for example, a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. These apparatuses are implemented by making the processor load and execute a program stored in the memory.

The program can be stored and provided to a computer using any type of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include any type of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic storage media (such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, etc.), optical magnetic storage media (e.g. magneto-optical disks), CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), CD-R (compact disc recordable), CD-R/W (compact disc rewritable), and semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.). The program may be provided to a computer using any type of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Transitory computer readable media can provide the program to a computer through a wired communication line (e.g. electric wires, and optical fibers) or a wireless communication line.

From the disclosure thus described, it will be obvious that the embodiments of the disclosure may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended for inclusion within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rehabilitation support system comprising a rehabilitation support apparatus, the rehabilitation support system further comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire motivation information indicating a motivation for rehabilitation performed by a trainee using the rehabilitation support apparatus, the motivation information including at least information about a line of sight of the trainee; an output unit configured to output a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee based on the motivation information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a feedback unit configured to feed back the degree output from the output unit to the rehabilitation support apparatus.
 2. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit comprises a first notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of the degree.
 3. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit comprises a second notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of information urging the training assistant to change a setting parameter in the rehabilitation support apparatus.
 4. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit comprises a third notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of information urging the training assistant to change a setting parameter in the rehabilitation support apparatus when the degree changes beyond a predetermined range.
 5. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit comprises a fourth notification unit configured to provide, to the training assistant assisting the trainee, a notification for urging him/her to have a type of conversation according to the degree.
 6. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit comprises an accumulation unit configured to accumulate data indicating a time-series change of the degree in a log, and a fifth notification unit configured to notify the training assistant assisting the trainee of the log.
 7. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit comprises a sixth notification unit configured to notify the trainee of the degree or information corresponding to the degree.
 8. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein games capable of presenting a state of the training of the trainee to the trainee are incorporated in an executable state, and the feedback unit enables the trainee to perform a game that differs according to the degree.
 9. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein a game capable of presenting a state of the training of the trainee to the trainee is incorporated in an executable state, and the feedback unit changes a displaying form in the game according to the degree.
 10. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit reduces a weight of information that is acquired by the acquisition unit in a predetermined period after a setting parameter in the rehabilitation support apparatus is changed, the weight being used when the degree is determined.
 11. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit separately acquires, as the motivation information, information in a period during which the trainee is performing the rehabilitation and information in a period other than the period during which the trainee is performing the rehabilitation.
 12. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a facial expression of the trainee during the rehabilitation as one item included in the motivation information.
 13. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a conversation of the trainee with the training assistant assisting the trainee as one item included in the motivation information.
 14. The rehabilitation support system according to claim 1, further comprising a server apparatus connected to the rehabilitation support apparatus through a network, wherein the server apparatus comprises the output unit.
 15. A method for supporting rehabilitation comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring motivation information indicating a motivation for rehabilitation performed by a trainee using a rehabilitation support apparatus, the motivation information including at least information about a line of sight of the trainee; an outputting step of outputting a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee based on the motivation information acquired in the acquisition step; and a feeding-back step of feeding back the degree output in the outputting step to the rehabilitation support apparatus.
 16. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a rehabilitation support program for causing a computer of a rehabilitation support apparatus to perform: an acquisition step of acquiring motivation information indicating a motivation for rehabilitation performed by a trainee using a rehabilitation support apparatus, the motivation information including at least information about a line of sight of the trainee; an outputting step of outputting a degree indicating the motivation of the trainee based on the motivation information acquired in the acquisition step; and a feeding-back step of feeding back the degree output in the outputting step to the rehabilitation support apparatus. 